Luka Dončić scored 32 factors, grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out seven assists and stole 4 passes whereas main the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123-100 wipeout of the Denver Nuggets, who had gained 9 consecutive video games, on Saturday night time.
“Lastly really feel like myself somewhat bit,” Dončić mentioned. “Enjoying this recreation, that is what I really like. Simply lastly being myself somewhat bit, that’s why I used to be smiling all recreation.”
So was LeBron James, who chipped in 25 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and three blocks – and several other occasions was on the receiving finish of Dončić’s lengthy passes for fastbreak buckets because the Lakers led wire-to-wire towards their current nemisis.
“I’m a natural-born broad receiver and he’s a natural-born quarterback,” cracked James.
Dončić mentioned his chemistry with the Lakers, James included, remains to be budding. “That is my fourth recreation,” Dončić mentioned. “Chemistry takes time. You noticed at this time that it’s getting higher. Day-after-day, it’s getting higher. … Laborious, totally different, however I’m blissful to be taking part in basketball. Day-after-day goes to get higher for me. I’m blissful to be right here. I’m blissful for the brand new journey.”
The duo’s efficiency in Denver ought to give the Lakers and their followers a way that they’ll make the type of deep playoff run that eluded them the final two years when the Nuggets bounced them within the first spherical, profitable 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 Jokić’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 night time,” Jamal Murray mentioned. “Offensively and defensively.”
The Lakers by no means trailed as they gained in Denver for the primary time since April 2022.
Dončić, who had 19 factors by halftime, had been slowly adjusting to his new crew for the reason that massive commerce and dealing himself again into form after lacking a number of weeks with a calf damage. However in Denver, James mentioned he noticed a dialed-in Dončić, the very model that led the Mavericks to the NBA finals final yr.
“As soon as he began hitting these stepback 3s, he may very well be yelling or barking, both at followers, or us or himself,” James mentioned.
Earlier than tipoff, Lakers coach JJ Reddick mentioned he needed to see the passionate aspect of Dončić, “to have a blackout second the place he’s yelling.” He obtained that second when Dončić hit a three-pointer within the ultimate minute of the primary half and set free a giant scream.
“It was nice,” Reddick mentioned.
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