DENVER (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers showcased the potential of their recent acquisition, Luka Dončić, in a decisive 123-100 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. After a rocky start with LA, Dončić found his groove, contributing 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals during the game. This performance marked a significant improvement for the 25-year-old superstar, who previously struggled to adjust to his new environment.
“Finally feel like myself a little bit,” Dončić shared after the game, expressing joy in his performance and newfound chemistry with his teammates. LeBron James matched his enthusiasm, adding 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists while often receiving Dončić’s long passes for fastbreak plays. “I am a natural-born wide receiver and he’s a natural-born quarterback,” James joked.
Lakers’ coach J.J. Reddick noted the importance of Dončić channeling his energy on the court, and he certainly delivered, even drawing a technical foul for his passionate response to a missed call. This newfound intensity may signal a positive trajectory for Dončić and the Lakers as they strive for a deeper playoff run than in the past two seasons.
With just nine turnovers to Denver’s 22, and 15 steals compared to the Nuggets’ six, the Lakers dominated on both ends of the court. They held reigning MVP Nikola Jokic to a mere 2-of-7 shooting, forcing him into six turnovers. Despite Jokic’s 26th triple-double of the season, the Lakers’ defense proved effective, and they achieved their first win in Denver since April 2022.
As the Nuggets prepare for a challenging four-game road trip, Jamal Murray stated that the team wouldn’t dwell on this loss. “Credit to them, they played really good,” he said, emphasizing that one game does not determine their season.
The impressive victory is a strong indication that Dončić is settling into his role and developing the necessary chemistry with his teammates, laying the groundwork for a promising future for the Lakers.