Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic laughs as he takes the courtroom in opposition to the Denver Nuggets within the first half of an NBA basketball sport Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photograph/David Zalubowski)
DENVER — Now, that’s what the Los Angeles Lakers had in thoughts once they pulled off their stunning commerce for Luka Doncic earlier this month.
After going 1-2 and averaging 14.7 factors in his first three video games with LA following his departure from Dallas, the 25-year-old famous person had by far his finest sport in a Lakers uniform Saturday evening in Denver.
Article continues after this commercial
READ: NBA: Luka Doncic, LeBron mix for 57 factors as Lakers beat Nuggets
Doncic scored 32 factors, grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out seven assists and stole 4 passes whereas main the Lakers to a 123-100 wipeout of the Nuggets, who had received 9 consecutive video games.
“Lastly really feel like myself a bit of bit,” Doncic mentioned. “Enjoying this sport, that is what I like. Simply lastly being myself a bit of bit, that’s why I used to be smiling all sport.”
Article continues after this commercial
So was LeBron James, who chipped in 25 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and three blocks — and a number of other instances was on the receiving finish of Doncic’s lengthy passes for fastbreak buckets because the Lakers led wire-to-wire in opposition to their latest nemisis.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, drives previous Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon within the second half of an NBA basketball sport, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photograph/David Zalubowski)
“I’m a natural-born huge receiver and he’s a natural-born quarterback,” cracked James.
Doncic mentioned his chemistry with the Lakers, James included, remains to be budding.
“That is my fourth sport,” Doncic mentioned. “Chemistry takes time. You noticed right now that it’s getting higher. Day by day, it’s getting higher. … Onerous, totally different, however I’m completely happy to be taking part in basketball. Day by day goes to get higher for me. I’m completely happy to be right here. I’m completely happy for the brand new journey.”
READ: NBA: Luka Doncic energizes LeBron James as homestretch begins
The duo’s efficiency in Denver ought to give the Lakers and their followers a way that they will make the type of deep playoff run that eluded them the final two years when the Nuggets bounced them within the first spherical, successful eight of 9 when James was teamed with Anthony Davis.
The Lakers had simply 9 turnovers to Denver’s 22 and 15 steals to the Nuggets’ six. And whereas they took only one extra shot, they made 9 extra baskets.
Though they surrendered Nikola Jokic’s twenty sixth triple-double of the season, the Lakers held the reigning MVP to simply 2-of-7 capturing and compelled him into an uncharacteristic half dozen turnovers.
“It was their evening,” Jamal Murray sighed. “Offensively and defensively.”
The Lakers by no means trailed in successful in Denver for the primary time since April 10, 2022.
Doncic, who had 19 factors by halftime, had been slowly adjusting to his new crew because the huge commerce and dealing himself again into form after lacking a number of weeks with a calf harm. However in Denver, James mentioned he noticed a dialed-in Doncic, the very model that led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals final yr.
“As soon as he began hitting these stepback 3s, he could possibly be yelling or barking, both at followers, or us or himself,” James mentioned.
Earlier than tipoff, Lakers coach J.J. Reddick mentioned he needed to see the passionate aspect of Doncic, “to have a blackout second the place he’s yelling.” He obtained that second when Doncic hit a 3-pointer within the closing minute of the primary half and set free an enormous scream.
“It was nice,” Reddick mentioned.
Doncic’s ardour was on show once more moments later when he drew a technical for arguing that the Nuggets obtained away with hitting him within the head on his missed floater simply earlier than the halftime buzzer.
The third quarter started with Jamal Murray on the line and his free throw ignited an 8-0 run by the Nuggets that minimize their deficit to 63-62.
The Lakers’ 10-0 reply was bookended by James’ rim-rattling dunk and Doncic’s lengthy 3-pointer and LA cruised to its 14th win in 18 video games.
The Nuggets now hit the highway for a four-game journey, and coach Michael Malone mentioned now “nobody’s going to be afraid that the Denver Nuggets are coming to city.”
Murray, for one, wasn’t anxious that this one loss portended an finish to the Nuggets’ latest dominance of the Lakers.
“Give them credit score, they performed actually good,” Murray mentioned. “We’ve had their quantity for a variety of years. It’s one sport. We’re not going to overreact.”
