Luka Doncic reminded NBA followers that he is the identical famous person who tormented Western Convention opponents en path to the NBA Finals final yr. The Los Angeles Lakers‘ newly acquired famous person had his greatest evening within the purple and gold on Saturday. He scored 32 factors, grabbed 10 rebounds, and added seven assists and 4 steals.
Doncic had averaged 28.1 factors per recreation, taking pictures 46.4% from the sphere throughout 22 video games for the Dallas Mavericks, earlier this season. Since being despatched to the Lakers in a mind-blowing blockbuster deal on the NBA commerce deadline, he had averaged simply 14.7 factors per recreation whereas taking pictures 35.6% from the sphere throughout his first three video games for the Lakers, who dropped two of these video games to NBA bottom-feeders Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets.
Doncic then sat out the Lakers recreation in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers on Thursday. His struggles ignited questions concerning Doncic’s general match with the Lakers, and extra particularly, alongside fellow ball-dominant star LeBron James.
Did getting traded impression Luka Doncic’s capability? | First Issues First
Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Greg Jennings focus on the Los Angeles Lakers dropping to the Charlotte Hornets, and LeBron James speaking the ultimate shot as a substitute of Luka Doncic. He says that Doncic was impacted by the commerce from the Dallas Mavericks, and that his capability has been impacted.
Los Angeles’ 123-100 win over the Denver Nuggets at Ball Area ought to assist reply a few of these considerations. James complemented Doncic’s efficiency, including 25 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. In 33 minutes, Doncic had a team-high plus-minus of 20.
Halfway via the primary quarter, Doncic had a stellar sequence. He pulled up for a 3-pointer 5 toes past the road, then blocked Nuggets guard Jamal Murray on a drive to the basket, spurring a quick break that led to a Dorian Finney-Smith triple.
Within the third quarter, Doncic hit a pair of step-back 3-pointers over the outstretched arm of Nuggets guard Christian Braun earlier than jawing on the Denver crowd.
In a marquee matchup in opposition to the three-seed within the Western Convention, the Lakers confirmed the NBA their potential when each mega-stars are clicking.
Guard Austin Reaves scored 23 and ahead Rui Hachimura had 21 when he left holding his left aspect with 10 minutes remaining — the Lakers did not miss him, occurring a 12-2 run to stretch their result in 19.
Aaron Gordon scored 24 factors and Jamal Murray 19 for Denver, which misplaced for the primary time this month. Nikola Jokic posted his twenty sixth triple-double of the season, however he was simply 2-of-7 from the ground with six turnovers.
The Lakers by no means trailed in successful in Denver for the primary time since April 10, 2022. That they had misplaced 13 of their earlier 14 in opposition to the Nuggets.
The Lakers are 2-2 in video games through which Doncic has performed. They’ll host his former workforce, the Dallas Mavericks, on Tuesday evening in Crypto.com Area for the primary time because the commerce. That recreation kicks off a season-high six-game homestand that features a rematch with the Nuggets and video games in opposition to different playoff hopefuls such because the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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