Lakers Overcome Doncic's Early Exit to Defeat 76ers

Austin Reaves leads Lakers' second-half comeback with 35 points off the bench

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Los Angeles Lakers overcame a strange night, including star guard Luka Doncic's early exit due to left leg soreness, to pull off a 119-115 comeback win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite the disruption, the Lakers rallied behind a stellar second-half performance from Austin Reaves, who scored 35 points off the bench. LeBron James also contributed a 17-point, 10-assist double-double, helping the Lakers erase a 14-point deficit.

Why it matters

The Lakers' victory, coming after a lengthy road trip and with key players out, showcases their resilience and ability to adapt to adversity. The team's depth and bench production were critical factors in the comeback win, which keeps them on pace for a 50-win season.

The details

The Lakers were already short-handed, with Jaxson Hayes serving a one-game suspension and Luke Kennard a recent trade acquisition. Doncic's early exit due to an apparent hamstring injury further disrupted their rotation. However, the Lakers rallied behind Reaves' scoring outburst, as well as strong contributions from Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber off the bench. LeBron James overcame turnover issues to make key plays down the stretch, helping the Lakers erase a 14-point deficit and secure the victory.

  • Doncic left the game in the second quarter due to left leg soreness.
  • Hachimura scored seven straight points for the Lakers late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to two entering the fourth.

The players

Luka Doncic

Star guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who left the game in the second quarter due to left leg soreness.

Austin Reaves

Lakers guard who led the team with 35 points and six rebounds off the bench in just his second game back from a left calf injury.

LeBron James

Lakers forward who recorded a 17-point, 10-assist double-double, making up for his eight turnovers with strong late-game moments.

Rui Hachimura

Lakers forward who scored seven straight points late in the third quarter to help cut the team's deficit to two entering the fourth.

Maxi Kleber

Lakers forward who provided game-changing energy off the bench, despite not having traditional box score stats.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The Lakers' comeback victory showcases their depth and resilience, as they were able to overcome Doncic's early exit and a lengthy road trip to secure an important win. This performance highlights the team's ability to adapt to adversity and the valuable contributions from their bench players, which will be crucial as they continue their push for a 50-win season.