BRUTAL reality check for Lakers as Luka masterclass wasted;

BRUTAL reality check for Lakers as Luka masterclass wasted;

Luka Doncic scored a game-high 45 points but could not prevent the Los Angeles Lakers from slumping to a third straight defeat in a 126-106 pounding by the Milwaukee Bucks.

Doncic, the Lakers’ prime offensive weapon in the absence of the injured LeBron James, got off to an electrifying start at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, erupting for 29 points in the first half alone.

But Doncic was unable to sustain that incredible scoring pace through the second half as the Bucks tightened their defense and took control, outscoring the Lakers 31-19 in the third period to build a formidable 20-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

That lopsided third frame proved decisive as Milwaukee closed out a victory that leaves them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 37-28 record.

The Lakers meanwhile fell to 40-24 and remain fourth in the Western Conference after their third consecutive loss of a road trip that concludes with a daunting visit to Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

Austin Reaves backed Doncic with 28 points but only one other Lakers player — rookie Dalton Knecht with 10 points — managed to make double figures.

Milwaukee meanwhile had no such problems, spreading the scoring around with Giannis Antetokounmpo finishing with 24 points, Brook Lopez 23 and Damian Lillard and Kevin Porter Jr adding 22 points apiece.

Gary Trent Jr. also made a useful contribution for the Bucks with 16 points from the bench — all from three-point range.

On the other hand, Lakers big man Alex Len — who was a late addition to the team after the Mark Williams trade fell through, was once again ineffective and came under the scrutiny of Reggie Miller in commentary, who urged coach JJ Redick to play small ball.

“Len is not guarding anyone, he’s not scoring, he’s not rebounding,” Miller said.