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As trade sinks in, Luka Doncic finally finds groove against Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets: “Luka is the problem”
Luka Doncic’s first “blackout episode” of excitement in a Lakers uniform? It happened in Denver, as much as the Nuggets tried to prevent it.
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JJ Redick’s challenge to Luka Doncic in Denver was of the emotional variety. But he knew it would probably translate to the statistics.
“I want at least one blackout episode where he’s screaming indiscriminately at no one in particular because he’s excited,” the first-year Lakers coach said Saturday before facing the Nuggets. “That means he’s back. That’s the Luka I know. The killer.”
Back from what, exactly? Doncic’s recent calf injury, yes, but also the mental malaise associated with getting traded away from a city where he thought he would play his entire career. It’s still sinking in throughout the basketball world that Luka is a Laker — that the Dallas Mavericks would choose to ship off their 25-year-old franchise cornerstone.
As Doncic processes it all, he’s been struggling by his standards. But not on Saturday. The Slovenian point guard went for 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals to lead the Lakers in their 123-100 win at Ball Arena.
“He dominated the game, like he always does,” said Nikola Jokic, who added that he doesn’t expect to receive any gloating text messages from his friend.
Redick even noticed one of the aforementioned blackout episodes. Doncic buried a step-back 3-pointer late in the first half, over a quality contest from Christian Braun, then yelled as he returned to the Lakers’ end of the floor.
“I think I had one,” Doncic said. “It just felt like me a little bit, so I was happy.”
“That’s the Luka that we’re all accustomed to watching over the last seven years,” James said. “Especially (when) you get that left side of the floor step-back going. Pretty damn dangerous.”
Four of Doncic’s seven assists produced dunks or layups for James, who forms an interesting pair with Doncic. Both players have traditionally excelled most with the ball in their hands. But James attested on Saturday that their chemistry can transcend that.
“I’m a natural-born wide receiver,” he said, “and he’s a natural-born quarterback. So it fits perfect.”
Doncic arrived in Denver only three games into his Lakers tenure, but he hadn’t scored more than 16 points yet in any of those games. He was 35.6% from the floor and 20.8% from the 3-point line. Nuggets coach Michael Malone observed before opening tip that he was “still probably finding his rhythm with a new team and getting used to the shock of that trade.”
By the end of the night, Doncic looked like the next great Lakers superstar for the first time. Denver was witness to it.
“Luka is the guy. Luka is the problem,” Jokic said. “He’s the guy. He’s making the team better.”
Originally Published: February 23, 2025 at 1:28 AM MST
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