DENVER — The Los Angeles Lakers seem to have struck gold with their recent acquisition of Luka Doncic. Following a mixed bag of performances that saw him average just 14.7 points over three games since his trade from Dallas, the superstar showcased his true potential Saturday night against the Denver Nuggets.

Doncic delivered an impressive performance, scoring 32 points, securing 10 rebounds, providing seven assists, and snatching four steals, leading the Lakers to a resounding 123-100 victory over a Nuggets team that had been on a nine-game winning streak. “I finally feel like myself a little bit,” Doncic reflected after the game. “Playing this game, this is what I love. Just finally being myself a little bit, that’s why I was smiling all game.”

Also shining for the Lakers was LeBron James, contributing 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. James frequently benefited from Doncic’s pinpoint passes, which created fastbreak opportunities throughout the match. He jokingly likened his synergy with Doncic to that of a wide receiver and quarterback, hinting at the potential for explosive performances moving forward.

Doncic pointed out that his chemistry with the Lakers is still developing, emphasizing that “this is my fourth game.” He acknowledged the importance of time in building this chemistry, noting, “You saw today that it’s getting better. Every day, it’s getting better… I’m happy to be playing basketball. Every day is going to get better for me.” His positive attitude reflects a readiness for this new chapter in his career.

The duo’s dominant performance in Denver has provided the Lakers and their fans with optimism for a deeper playoff run compared to the sudden exits of the past couple of years, where they were ousted by the Nuggets in the first round. The Lakers minimized their turnovers to just nine compared to Denver’s 22 and outdid the Nuggets in steals with 15 against six. Both teams took a similar number of shots, yet the Lakers converted nine more baskets, further demonstrating their effectiveness. Despite Nikola Jokic’s impressive 26th triple-double of the season, the Lakers managed to limit his shooting to 2-of-7 and forced him into an uncharacteristic six turnovers during the contest.

“It was their night,” acknowledged Jamal Murray, a valued player for Denver. The Lakers maintained a commanding lead throughout, marking their first victory in Denver since April 10, 2022. Doncic, who scored 19 points by halftime, has been acclimatizing to his new environment, particularly useful after recovering from a calf injury. Post-game, James remarked on Doncic’s newfound focus, reminiscent of the player who previously led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals.

Lakers coach J.J. Reddick expressed excitement prior to the game about seeing Doncic’s passionate side, anticipating a moment where he fully embraced his competitive nature. This was realized when Doncic celebrated a late first-half three-pointer with a primal yell, illustrating his enthusiasm. His fiery spirit was evident again when he received a technical foul for contesting an apparent foul against him just prior to halftime.

The Nuggets attempted to regroup in the second half, starting with Jamal Murray at the free-throw line which launched an 8-0 run that narrowed their deficit to just one point. However, the Lakers quickly rallied, responding with a 10-0 streak that featured a thunderous dunk from James and a deep three from Doncic, allowing the Lakers to coast to their 14th win in 18 games.

With the Nuggets now preparing for a four-game road trip, Coach Michael Malone noted that they need to rediscover their edge. Meanwhile, Murray remained undeterred by the loss, asserting the Lakers’ performance didn’t signify the end of the Nuggets’ upper hand. “Give them credit; they played really good,” he said. “We’ve had their number for a number of years. It’s one game. We’re not going to overreact.”