Luka Doncic did the work early and it was basically game over for the Denver Nuggets.
Doncic sizzled for 21 of his 31 points in the opening frame to banner a strong 120-108 Los Angeles Lakers outing over the short-handed Nuggets to reclaim the West no. 3 spot, Thursday, March 20.
Let’s gooo 💪
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 20, 2025
The Slovenian superstar led a sizzling 46-point first quarter for LA and finished with nine rebounds, seven assists, and four threes in just three quarters for a ninth straight home dub for the Purple and Gold squad.
LUKA 3 FOR 30 👌
— NBA (@NBA) March 20, 2025
10-16 FGM
4 3PM
📺 Lakers lead on ESPN
Austin Reaves added an impressive 22-5-8 statline as the Lakers won their third-straight game and improved to 44-25 despite superstar LeBron James missing his sixth straight game due to a groin injury.
Austin Reaves showing OFF the handles and tossing up a lob to Koloko 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) March 20, 2025
DEN/LAL on ESPN
Aaron Gordon collected a 26-point, 11-rebound double in a losing effort for Denver, who played without injured stars Nikola Jokic (right elbow contusion, left ankle impingement) and Jamal Murray (right ankle sprain) for the second straight game and dropped to 44-26.
Up next for the Lakers are the visiting Milwaukee Bucks (38-30) while the Nuggets travel to Portland to brawl with the Trail Blazers (30-39).
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]
