DENVER (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 32 points in his best game by far with the Lakers, leading Los Angeles to a 123-100 runaway win at Denver on Saturday night, snapping the Nuggets' nine-game winning streak. LeBron James added 25 points, Austin Reaves scored 23, and Rui Hachimura had 21 when he left holding his left side with 10 minutes remaining — the Lakers didn't miss him, going on a 12-2 run to stretch their lead to 19. The Lakers never trailed, winning in Denver for the first time since April 10, 2022, after losing 13 of their previous 14 against the Nuggets.
Doncic averaged 14.7 points in his first three games with the Lakers but surpassed 19 points by halftime, leading the team to a 63-54 edge. Despite the loss, Aaron Gordon scored 24 points, and Jamal Murray added 19. Nikola Jokic recorded his 26th triple-double of the season but had difficulty shooting, ending up just 2 of 7 from the floor with six turnovers. This loss marked the first time the Nuggets had lost this month and was unable to secure their 10th consecutive win under coach Michael Malone.
Post-game, Doncic reflected on his performance, saying, "Just finally feeling like myself a little bit. You know, playing this game, this is all I love, so I'm just finally being myself a little bit. That's why I was smiling the whole game," he told ESPN's Lisa Salters. This infectious joy on the court indicated to Lakers fans and players alike the potential of Doncic fully recovering from his calf injury. He not only contributed offensively but showcased defensive tenacity with four steals.
The chemistry between Doncic and James was palpable, with the pair executing several highlight plays throughout the matchup. One notable connection came early when Doncic launched a 94-foot precision pass to James for a dunk, demonstrating instant rapport. Later, they combined again, with Doncic acting as a decoy before lobbing to James for another emphatic slam.
James, who has often compared their connection to football, mentioned, “I'm a natural-born wide receiver and he's a natural-born quarterback,” hinting at the powerful dynamic they share on the court. Prominent sports commentator Skip Bayless couldn't help but notice their synergy, tweeting, "LUKA-LEBRON: GREATEST NBA PASSING PARTNERS EVER," reinforcing the excitement surrounding their collaboration.
Statistically, both teams shot the ball evenly from long range, each connecting on 16 of 41 attempts. After allowing the Nuggets to score the first eight points of the second half, the Lakers quickly rallied to reclaim momentum, launching on a decisive 10-0 run energized by James' explosive dunk, leading to Doncic’s booming 3-pointer.
The Lakers now look forward to returning home for a season-high six-game homestand, which kicks off on Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks. This matchup will be particularly meaningful for Doncic as he faces his former team for the first time since the February 2 trade. Meanwhile, the Nuggets aim to regroup as they prepare for their road game against Indiana on Monday night.
A thrilling night for the Lakers showcased not only Doncic's return to form but also hinted at the potential powerhouse pairing of him and LeBron James, with the Lakers vying for playoff positioning. This dynamic duo is likely set to bring excitement and grit as they captain the team forward.