Luka Doncic scores 53 points in Lakers victory over Portland

Luka Doncic scored 53 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in an NBA Cup group-stage game on Friday, Al Jazeera and the New York Post reported. The Lakers overcame a 16-point second-quarter deficit before rallying to win in Los Angeles, according to reports from Al Jazeera and the New York Post. [1][7]

Al Jazeera reported that Doncic made a shot from beyond the half-court line at the end of the first half, cutting Portland's lead to seven points. Portland brought the score within four points during the final minute of the game, according to Al Jazeera. [1]

In other action, LeBron James lost in his return to Cleveland as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, Al Jazeera reported. The loss ended a five-game winning streak for the 76ers, according to Yahoo Sports. James was held to eight points in the contest, the Guardian reported. [1][8][9]

Off the court, the New York Post reported that attorneys for James and Doncic sent cease-and-desist letters to PlayVision Inc., the owner of the Bron AI sports betting app. The letters concerned an advertisement that used an unauthorized artificial intelligence clone of James' likeness and voice. Bron AI chief executive officer Anish Gupta shared a video on social media teasing a name change following the legal notices, according to the New York Post. [2][5]

Doncic plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, while James plays as a forward for the Philadelphia 76ers. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the 76ers acquired James during the offseason. [12][13][17]