Luka Dončić says his breakout recreation with Lakers in Denver is barely the beginning – NBA.Com

'That is my fourth recreation,' Dončić mentioned. 'Chemistry takes time. You noticed right now that it’s getting higher. Day by day, it’s getting higher.'
Arnie Stapleton | The Related Press
Luka Dončić's breakout recreation with the Lakers helps Los Angeles finish Denver's 9-game profitable streak.
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DENVER (AP) — Now, that’s what the Los Angeles Lakers had in thoughts after they pulled off their surprising commerce for Luka Dončić 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 celebrity had by far his greatest recreation in a Lakers uniform Saturday evening in Denver.
Dončić 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 gained 9 consecutive video games.
“Lastly really feel like myself a bit bit,” Dončić mentioned. “Taking part in this recreation, that is what I like. Simply lastly being myself a bit 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 a number of other occasions was on the receiving finish of Dončić’s lengthy passes for fastbreak buckets because the Lakers led wire-to-wire in opposition to their latest nemisis.
“I’m a natural-born huge 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 right now that it’s getting higher. Day by day, it’s getting higher. … Arduous, completely different, however I’m completely satisfied to be taking part in basketball. Day by day goes to get higher for me. I’m completely satisfied to be right here. I’m completely satisfied 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 Jokic’s twenty sixth triple-double of the season, the Lakers held the reigning MVP to simply 2-of-7 taking pictures 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 profitable in Denver for the primary time since April 10, 2022.
Dončić, who had 19 factors by halftime, had been slowly adjusting to his new staff 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 Dončić, the very model that led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals final 12 months.
“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 J.J. Reddick mentioned he wished to see the passionate facet of Dončić, “to have a blackout second the place he’s yelling.” He acquired that second when Dončić hit a 3-pointer within the remaining minute of the primary half and set free a giant scream.
“It was nice,” Reddick mentioned.
Dončić’s ardour was on show once more moments later when he drew a technical for arguing that the Nuggets acquired 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 Dončić’s lengthy 3-pointer and LA cruised to its 14th win in 18 video games.
The Nuggets now hit the street 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 fearful 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 numerous years. It’s one recreation. We’re not going to overreact.”
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Oklahoma Metropolis holds the highest spot and the Prime 10 is generally unchanged after NBA All-Star 2025 in San Francisco.
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