Luka Doncic delivered his best performance since joining the Lakers, scoring 32 points to power Los Angeles (34-21) past the Nuggets (37-20) in a 123-100 rout on Saturday night in Denver.
The win ended Denver’s nine-game winning streak and marked the Lakers’ first victory at Ball Arena since April 2022.
LeBron James added 25 points, while Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura combined for 44 before Hachimura exited with a left-side injury early in the fourth quarter.
Despite Hachimura’s absence, Los Angeles extended its lead with a decisive 12-2 run, putting the game out of reach.
Doncic, who averaged just 14.7 points in his first three games with the Lakers, surpassed that mark in the opening quarter alone and had 19 by halftime.
Los Angeles never trailed, maintaining control throughout while shooting 50% from the field and 39% from three-point range.
Denver struggled offensively, with Nikola Jokic finishing with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists but committing six turnovers and shooting just 2-for-7.
Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 24 points, and Jamal Murray contributed 19, but their efforts weren’t enough to keep pace.
The Lakers responded to a brief third-quarter surge from Denver with a 10-0 run, punctuated by a James dunk and a Doncic three-pointer.
Both teams hit 16 three-pointers, but Los Angeles held the edge in efficiency and execution down the stretch.
Los Angeles now returns home for a six-game homestand, beginning Tuesday against the Mavericks in Doncic’s first meeting with his former team since being traded for Anthony Davis.
