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“Building chemistry takes time, but as you witnessed today, things are improving after three games.”
This remark, made by Luka Doncic, follows a remarkable performance that stood out during his matchup against the Denver Nuggets, culminating in a decisive 123-100 victory for the Lakers.
In what was his finest outing since joining the Lakers, Doncic posted an impressive line of 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals. Additionally, for the first time this season, three other Lakers contributed over 20 points: LeBron James with 25, Austin Reaves with 23, and Rui Hachimura with 21.
On the opposing side, Nikola Jokic recorded his 26th triple-double of the year but struggled with accuracy, shooting 2 of 7 from the field, registering six turnovers, and finishing with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The Lakers controlled the game from start to finish, marking their first win in Denver since April 10, 2022. Prior to this game, they had dropped 13 of their last 14 encounters against the Nuggets, who had been on a nine-game winning streak before this defeat.
Next, the Lakers will face the Mavericks on Tuesday night, marking Doncic’s first game against his former team. Following this outcome, the Nuggets sit third in the Western Conference with a 37-20 record, while the Lakers hold fifth place at 34-21.
In other action, Lauri Markkanen guided the Utah Jazz to a 124-115 victory over the Houston Rockets, where Alperen Şengün plays. The Finnish standout notched a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Şengün fell just short of a triple-double, finishing with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.
The Portland Trail Blazers showcased a dominant performance against the Charlotte Hornets with a score of 141-88, featuring notable contributions from Toumani Camara. The Belgian international excelled with a staggering +45 in the +/- stat, scoring 20 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out six assists, shooting an impressive 7 of 9 from the field, including 4 of 6 from three-point range. This marked the highest +/- by a Blazer since LaMarcus Aldridge’s time with the team.
Deni Avdija also put in a commendable performance with 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Jusuf Nurkić added 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists for the Hornets in a losing effort.
In the latest results:
Philadelphia 76ers fell to Brooklyn Nets 103-105, where Guerschon Yabusele contributed five points and eight rebounds, while Killian Hayes tallied three points, six assists, and four rebounds.
Final Scores:
Philadelphia 76ers – Brooklyn Nets 103-105
Denver Nuggets – Los Angeles Lakers 100-123
Utah Jazz – Houston Rockets 124-115
Portland Trail Blazers – Charlotte Hornets 141-88
Western Conference
Eastern Conference
