LeBron James believes his on-court connection with Luka Doncic is developing quickly, and their chemistry was on full display in the Lakers’ dominant 123-100 win over the Denver Nuggets.
Speaking after the game, James compared their dynamic to football. “I’m a natural-born wide receiver, and he’s a natural-born quarterback, so it fits perfectly,” James said. “It’s all about eye contact and him being the great quarterback like he is and me being the recipient of it.”
Doncic delivered his best game since joining Los Angeles, finishing with 32 points as the Lakers (34-21) snapped Denver’s nine-game winning streak. James, who added 25 points, praised the Slovenian star’s impact and rhythm.
“That’s the Luka that we all have been accustomed to watching over the last seven years,” James said. “Once he starts hitting those step-back threes, getting the yelling and barking either at the fans or at us or at himself, he had every right to.”
The Lakers never trailed, shooting 50% from the field and 39% from deep while holding the Nuggets to just 43.7% overall. Denver struggled to find an offensive flow, with Nikola Jokic finishing with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists but committing six turnovers.
Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 24 points, while Jamal Murray contributed 19, but neither could match the Lakers’ energy. Los Angeles extended its lead in the fourth quarter with a 12-2 run, putting the game out of reach.
Doncic’s comfort level in the offense has improved with each game, and James noted the effort he put into leading the team. “Super dialed in,” James said. “He was just locked in on what he wanted to do out here on the floor tonight.”
Doncic, who averaged just 14.7 points in his first three games with the Lakers, surpassed that total in the first quarter alone. He had 19 by halftime and controlled the tempo throughout.
Los Angeles now returns home for a six-game homestand, beginning Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks. The matchup will mark Doncic’s first game against his former team since being traded for Anthony Davis.
