Superstar recruit Luka Doncic shines as LA Lakers triumph over Denver Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers certainly had high hopes when they executed that eye-catching trade for Luka Doncic earlier this month.

Following a shaky start of 1-2, where he averaged 14.7 points over his initial three matches with LA after leaving Dallas, the 25-year-old star truly shone in his Lakers debut on Sunday (AEDT) against Denver.

Doncic delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 32 points, collecting 10 rebounds, providing seven assists, and stealing four passes, helping the Lakers to a commanding 123-100 victory over the Nuggets, who previously had a nine-game winning streak.

“I’m beginning to feel like myself again,” Doncic remarked. “Playing this sport is what I love. I was smiling the entire game because I finally felt like myself.”

LeBron James was equally impressive, adding 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks, frequently capitalising on Doncic’s long passes for fast-break opportunities, as the Lakers dominated throughout the match against their recent rival.

“I’m a natural-born wide receiver, and he’s the quarterback,” James joked.

Doncic mentioned that his rapport with the Lakers, particularly with James, is still developing.

“This is only my fourth game,” Doncic explained. “Building chemistry takes time. You saw today that it’s improving, and it gets better with each passing day … It’s challenging and different, but I’m thrilled to be back on the court. Each day brings me closer to feeling like myself again, and I’m excited about this new journey.”

The pair’s standout performances in Denver should inspire confidence within the Lakers and their supporters that they can embark on a deep playoff run, a feat that slipped away from them the last two years when the Nuggets eliminated them in the first round, winning eight out of nine games when James was paired with Anthony Davis.

The Lakers limited their turnovers to just nine, while forcing the Nuggets into 22 and netting 15 steals compared to the Nuggets’ six.

Despite taking only one more shot, the Lakers converted nine extra baskets.

Despite conceding Nikola Jokic’s impressive 26th triple-double of the season, the Lakers succeeded in limiting the reigning MVP to a mere two-for-seven shooting performance while inducing an unusually high number of six turnovers.

“Tonight belonged to them,” Jamal Murray admitted. “Both offensively and defensively.”

The Lakers claimed victory without being behind, securing a win in Denver for the first time since April 2022.

Doncic, who tallied 19 points by the halfway mark, has been gradually finding his footing with his new squad since the major trade and working on regaining fitness after an extended absence due to a calf injury.

But in Denver, James recognised a focused Doncic — reminiscent of the player who had led the Mavericks to the NBA finals the previous season.

“Once he began sinking those step-back three-pointers, you could tell he was animated, whether it was shouting at fans, us, or even himself,” James noted.

Prior to the game, Lakers coach J.J. Reddick expressed his desire to see Doncic’s passionate side, hoping for a moment where he might lose himself in the excitement. He certainly got that when Doncic drained a three-pointer in the last minute of the first half, followed by a powerful shout.

“It was fantastic,” Reddick remarked.

Doncic’s fervour came through yet again a moment later when he received a technical foul for disputing that the Nuggets had committed a foul on him just before the halftime buzzer.

The third quarter kicked off with Jamal Murray at the free-throw line, igniting an 8-0 run by the Nuggets that narrowed the gap to 63-62.

However, the Lakers quickly responded with a 10-0 run, highlighted by James’ thunderous dunk and Doncic’s long-range three-pointer, steering LA to their 14th win out of 18 games.

The Nuggets are set for a challenging four-game road trip, with coach Michael Malone asserting that “no one is going to be fearful of the Denver Nuggets coming to town” following this defeat.

Murray expressed confidence that this loss wouldn’t signal an end to the Nuggets’ previous dominance over the Lakers. “We have had their number for several years. It’s just one match. We won’t overreact,” he said.