DENVER — The Los Angeles Lakers have finally broken their lengthy string of defeats against the Denver Nuggets, thanks to the dazzling performance of their new star, Luka Doncic. After eight consecutive losses to the Nuggets, the Lakers triumphed with a decisive 123-100 victory on the road, marking their first win against Denver since the 2020 NBA playoffs.
Doncic, who had recently switched teams from the Dallas Mavericks, was instrumental in this victory, scoring 32 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and providing 7 assists. He displayed remarkable skill as he transitioned smoothly onto the Lakers, even after missing parts of the previous season with injury and adjusting to new teammates.
Prior to Saturday’s game, the Lakers had suffered through frustrating games, accumulating eight losses against the Nuggets, including five playoff defeats. During this streak, the Lakers had failed to find their rhythm against Denver's strong team dynamics. This time, everything seemed to click for Los Angeles. The team played nearly error-free basketball, with notable contributions from LeBron James, who scored 25 points, Austin Reaves with 23 points, and Rui Hachimura adding 21.
Doncic’s performance was particularly pivotal. He started strong, scoring 16 points during the first quarter and making significant plays to establish the Lakers’ dominance early on. His three-pointer helped push the Lakers to a solid 31-18 lead, and his assists showcased his ability to facilitate scoring throughout the game.
"I’m starting to feel a little bit more like myself — that's why I was smiling the whole game. There’s still a lot of room for improvement, and this is only my fourth game. Chemistry takes time," Doncic said post-game, highlighting his awareness of the need for growth within the team.
The Lakers’ defense was equally impressive, holding former MVP Nikola Jokic to just 12 points on only seven attempts. They forced the Nuggets to commit 21 turnovers, demonstrating their renewed focus on both ends of the floor. This effort was recognized as the Lakers worked relentlessly to deny Jokic the ball and disrupt Denver's offensive rhythm.
The win not only halted the Denver Nuggets’ nine-game winning streak but also served as a significant statement for the Lakers’ season. With this performance, they improved their record to 34-21, maintaining their position within the competitive Western Conference.
Both the Phoenix Suns and the Philadelphia 76ers had mixed fortunes on the same evening. The Suns edged out the Chicago Bulls with a close score of 121-117, ending their own four-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers continued to struggle, suffering their seventh consecutive loss against the Brooklyn Nets.
Looking forward, Lakers head coach JJ Redick conveyed optimism about Doncic's integration. Redick noted, "He’s [over] the mental part of the shock and everything, he’s in a really good place. And now we’ve got to get him physically where he needs to be to be Luka," which indicates confidence in Doncic’s ability to regain peak performance.
Doncic’s arrival not only injects talent but also demands heightened performance from the entire squad as they approach back-to-back matchups against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the LA Clippers.
Overall, Doncic's influence on the Lakers is becoming increasingly evident, as evidenced by Saturday's scoreline and the general atmosphere surrounding team morale. The combination of his scoring and playmaking capacities could be what the Lakers need to challenge for higher standings as the season progresses.