Before this season, many believed the Los Angeles Lakers could not compete without LeBron James. However, with James sidelined due to injury, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are proving that theory wrong. The duo stepped up in a dominant 120-108 victory over the Denver Nuggets and secured the Lakers’ third straight win.
The victory propelled the Lakers from the fifth seed to the third seed in the Western Conference, improving their season record to 43-25. The Nuggets, playing without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, struggled throughout the game and dropped to the fourth seed in the West.
Doncic And Reaves Lead Lakers To Statement Win Over Nuggets
Luka Doncic scored 31 points while adding nine rebounds and seven assists. He shot 10-of-21 from the field and connected on four of his nine three-point attempts. Doncic exploded for 21 points in the first quarter on 7-of-11 shooting, including three three-pointers.
Luka carries Lakers in blow out win vs. Nuggets 🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 20, 2025
31 PTS
10-21 FG
9 REB
7 AST pic.twitter.com/SLMCXx1kFN
Doncic’s scoring ability has been historic for the Lakers. He now holds the record for the most 30-point games in a season by a Lakers guard since Kobe Bryant in 2013. Since making his Lakers debut on February 10, Doncic has led the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and three-pointers.
Austin Reaves contributed 22 points, five rebounds, and eight assists. Jaxson Hayes added six points and seven rebounds. Dorian Finney-Smith provided 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Jordan Goodwin chipped in with eight points, three rebounds, and three assists. Rookie Dalton Knecht and Gabe Vincent each contributed 12 points off the bench, and Jarred Vanderbilt finished with 10 points.
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For the Nuggets, Aaron Gordon led the team with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Russell Westbrook had 12 points, nine assists, and four rebounds. Christian Braun and Michael Porter Jr. each scored 10 and 12 points, respectively. Peyton Watson and Jalen Pickett also reached double figures with 12 and 14 points.
The Lakers will look to keep their momentum going when they face the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, while the Nuggets will attempt to bounce back against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.
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