NBA: Luka Doncic reaches milestone as Los Angeles Lakers beat Denver Nuggets
Luka Doncic scored 31 points with a 120-108 home victory against the Denver Nuggets at the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 26-year-old Slovenian scored 21 points in the first quarter alone and continued to reach his 200th point game of his career, while also recording nine rebounds and seven assists.
Austin Reaves added 22 points to the Lakers for the uninjured LeBron James and Rui Hachimura.
The Nuggets, who missed Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray due to injury, trailed 46-29 at the end of the first quarter, saw the Lakers finish third in the standings.
Doncic, who The Lakers who joined the Dallas Mavericks In February, he now scored 30 or more points in eight of his eight games since it was held.
“Like I always say, every day is getting better,” Doncic told ESPN after the victory.
“It’s three consecutive victories, so we have to keep it going.
“We play games by game because if you think too far in the future, maybe you forget the next game. We know (the standings) are tight, but we just have to try to win every game.”
The Lakers’ 46-point first quarter was their highest score of the season, while Doncic’s 21 points was his highest score in any quarter with the Lakers.
The Cleveland Cavaliers remained top of the list in the Eastern Conference but lost 123-119 at the Sacramento Kings – their third straight defeat.
Demar DeRozan scored 27 points for the Kings against the Cavaliers, who saw the Orlando Magic streak over the weekend.
