Luka Dončić returned to the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup Saturday after missing the second game of a back-to-back Thursday.
He proceeded to have his best performance yet wearing the purple and gold.
Dončić stuffed the stat sheet Saturday night, putting up a team-high 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals as the Lakers snapped the Denver Nuggets’ nine-game winning streak with a 123-100 road victory.
LeBron James had 25 points, Austin Reaves had 23 and Rui Hachimura chipped in 21.
Dončić was initially listed as probable on Friday (left calf injury management) but was upgraded to available in the hours leading up to the game. Saturday’s contest marked his second road game since he was traded to Los Angeles, and fourth overall.
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Coach JJ Redick mentioned Wednesday that Dončić was no longer on a minutes restriction after being given time to get acclaimed.
‘Playing this game, this is what I love,’ Dončić told ESPN. ‘Just finally being myself a little bit, that’s why I was smiling the whole game.’
Lakers fans are surely smiling right now, too.
Here’s how Dončić performed Saturday night vs. the Nuggets:
Luka Dončić stats Saturday vs. Nuggets
Points: 32
FG: 10-for-22
3PT: 4-for-9
FT: 8-for-8
Rebounds: 10
Assists: 7
Steals: 4
Blocks: 1
Turnovers: 1
Fouls: 0
Minutes played: 31
Luka Dončić highlights: Lakers vs. Nuggets
Lakers’ next game
The Lakers will host the Mavericks on Tuesday. The game is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (TNT).
It will be the first time Dončić has played against the Mavericks since they traded him to Los Angeles for Anthony Davis.
