Luka Doncic Dominant as Lakers Beat Heat, Box Score Stats, Highlights for Giannis, Bam, Top Players

The Miami Heat's sluggish start to the 2026-27 NBA season continued Monday as they lost 138-117 to the Los Angeles Lakers on the road.

Luka Dončić delivered a standout performance and flirted with a triple-double. Walker Kessler and Austin Reaves were pivotal in supporting roles.

For Miami, a double-double from Giannis Antetokounmpo and another strong showing from Klay Thompson provided encouragement. But that wasn't enough to make up for the Heat's porous defense.

The Lakers led by seven at the end of the first quarter and maintained that edge heading into halftime. The third quarter is where Los Angeles opened some breathing room. It outscored Miami 32-21 and then cruised in the fourth.

The Heat shot 50.7 percent from the field, and that's often good enough to secure a victory. However, the Lakers did them one better by going 57.3 percent overall. L.A. owned the paint, finishing plus-22 on points around the basket.

Miami didn't have an answer for Dončić. It didn't matter what Erik Spoelstra threw at him defensively.

Things aren't clicking for the Heat through the first few weeks. Antetokounmpo has at least made a seamless transition to his new team.

Spoelstra said after the game his squad had "no chance" Monday night because the defense was nonexistent:

The Lakers have a night off before they're back in action Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings. Five of their next six are on the road, so coach JJ Redick will have to manage the workloads of his top stars.

The Heat have four games left on their Western swing. They take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, which is a great opportunity to rebuild some confidence.