Luka Doncic Scores 31, Lakers Dominate Nuggets 120-108/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Luka Doncic drops 31 points in three quarters as the Lakers roll past Denver. Austin Reaves contributes 22 points and 8 assists to lead a balanced Lakers attack. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray sit out as Denver struggles defensively.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Quick Look
- Winner: Los Angeles Lakers (41-28)
- Loser: Denver Nuggets (45-24)
- Final Score: Lakers 120, Nuggets 108
- Next Game: Lakers host the Bucks on Thursday; Nuggets visit the Trail Blazers on Friday
Luka Doncic Scores 31, Lakers Dominate Nuggets 120-108
Deep Look: Doncic Ignites Lakers in Blowout Win
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic wasted no time making an impact, scoring 21 points in the first quarter alone, as the Los Angeles Lakers crushed the injury-plagued Denver Nuggets 120-108 on Wednesday night.
Doncic finished with 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in just three quarters, allowing him to rest down the stretch in a game the Lakers controlled from the outset.
“We just wanted to set the tone early,” Doncic said. “I got into a rhythm, and my teammates kept finding me.”
With the win, Los Angeles extends its home winning streak to nine games and improves to 3-0 since returning from a disappointing 0-4 road trip.
A Fast Start That Denver Couldn’t Handle
Doncic came out firing, scoring 9 points in the first three minutes and leading an 18-2 run midway through the first quarter.
By the end of the first period, he had poured in 21 points—his highest-scoring quarter of the season—and the Lakers had built a 46-28 lead, their highest-scoring first quarter this year.
Denver, already shorthanded without Nikola Jokic (elbow) and Jamal Murray (ankle), had no answer defensively.
“They played with a ton of energy,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “We didn’t match it.”
Reaves Steps Up, Balanced Effort Lifts Lakers
While Doncic stole the show early, Austin Reaves delivered a strong all-around performance with 22 points and 8 assists.
Los Angeles had six players score in double figures, with key contributions from:
- Jaxson Hayes (14 points, 8 rebounds)
- D’Angelo Russell (12 points, 6 assists)
- Christian Koloko (11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks)
“It wasn’t just Luka,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “We’re sharing the ball well, we’re defending, and we’re building something.”
The Lakers led by 28 points after three quarters, allowing Doncic to rest for the entire fourth as Los Angeles prepares for five home games in seven days.
Even Bronny James got some late-game action, checking in for the final 3:58.
Key Takeaways:
1. Nuggets’ Defense Struggles Without Jokic and Murray
- Denver allowed 60% shooting through three quarters as the Lakers got easy looks inside and outside.
- Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 26 points, but they lacked a true facilitator without their two stars.
2. Doncic Dominates Early, But Lakers Thrive With Balance
- The Lakers aren’t just relying on Doncic—they had six players in double figures.
- Jaxson Hayes and Christian Koloko provided strong interior defense.
3. Key Moment: Doncic’s Explosive First Quarter
- Doncic scored 9 points in the first 3 minutes and had 20 points in the first 8 minutes.
- He fueled an 18-2 Lakers run, burying three 3-pointers and dishing three assists in the stretch.
4. Key Stat: Doncic’s 200th Career 30-Point Game
- Doncic has now scored 30+ points 200 times in his NBA career.
- He’s done it in 8 of his 16 games with the Lakers.
What’s Next?
- Lakers: Host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday in a high-profile showdown.
- Nuggets: Travel to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on Friday.
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