With the Los Angeles Lakers struggling to secure a playoff berth in the NBA regular season, the arrival of former Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic brought hope and high expectations. After three games without delivering his best performance, Doncic finally proved why Rob Pelinka made the bold move to trade him for Anthony Davis, shining as the difference-maker against the Denver Nuggets.
Doncic’s impact extended far beyond just the points he scored. His all-around contributions to both ends of the court were crucial to the Lakers‘ victory after two tough losses with him in the lineup. Following the game, the new Lakers star addressed the fans and media with an honest message about the team’s aspirations.
“Our goal is to win the championship. That’s our only goal. And I think we have the team for that,” Doncic said, underscoring the Lakers’ ambitions not only for a playoff run but for an NBA title.
Doncic, visibly relieved after the win, also reflected on his own performance with a smile. “The last three weeks have been hard, different. But I’m happy to be playing basketball. Every day is going to get better for me, and I’m excited to play with these guys,” he added.
Doncic on building chemistry with LeBron
Since Doncic joined the Lakers, one of the biggest questions among fans has been his chemistry with LeBron James. Doncic has often spoken about his admiration for LeBron, and now that they’re teammates, supporters are eager to see how their connection develops on the court.
Addressing the topic after four regular-season games, Doncic was candid about the process of building that chemistry. “I finally feel like myself again. Playing this game is what I love. Even though I think LeBron and I still have a lot of room for improvement, chemistry takes time. After three games, you can already see some progress, and it’s only going to get better,“ Doncic said.
The Slovenian star also commented on the Lakers’ recent victory over the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena, their first win in Denver in nearly three years. “I hardly remember the last time I won here. It’s always tough to play against them, so getting this win means a lot to us,” Doncic added.
Doncic shines against the Nuggets
Despite Nikola Jokic’s strong performance, the Lakers proved that they remain a serious contender for a playoff spot. With several games left in the season, the team is counting on Doncic and LeBron to lead the charge.
On Saturday, Doncic put up impressive numbers in the Lakers’ win over the Nuggets:
- Points: 32
- Rebounds: 10
- Assists: 7
- Steals: 4
- Field Goal Percentage: 10-22 (45.5%)
- 3-Point Percentage: 4-9 (44.4%)