Lakers are in a very good form, after a convincing win away at Denver against the Nuggets
Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers faced a tough challenge on Saturday, heading to Denver to take on the red-hot Nuggets, who had won nine straight games.
Expectations were low, especially after Dončić’s struggles in an unexpected loss to the Charlotte Hornets right after the All-Star break. However, when the spotlight was brightest, Dončić stepped up in a big way.
Wearing the Lakers’ iconic purple and gold, the Slovenian star dominated the game, scoring 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.
His all-around effort helped lead the Lakers to a convincing 123-100 win, silencing the home crowd and snapping Denver’s winning streak.
The victory wasn’t just crucial for the Lakers—it also caught the attention of LeBron James.
The LA’s franchise leader was thoroughly impressed by Dončić’s performance, as the team sent a strong message with their dominant display.
James ready to give Doncic the keys to the future
At 40 years old, LeBron James has been hinting at retirement for the past three seasons. With Luka Dončić stepping up, ‘The King’ now knows who his NBA successor is
James compared their growing partnership to football, saying, “I’m a natural-born wide receiver, and (Dončić) is a natural-born quarterback, so it fits perfectly.” Words that clearly show James is ready to give the keys and for the first time step back from dictating the tempo.
His comments strongly suggest that he is ready to pass the primary ball-handling duties to Dončić, a role the 25-year-old has excelled in since entering the league with the Dallas Mavericks in 2018.
With expectations growing that James will retire within the next year, Dončić appears poised to take over as the Lakers’ and NBA new leader.
His dominant performance against Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets was a major step in that direction, marking his first truly standout night in a Lakers uniform.
