Luka Doncic grabbed 32 points as the Los Angeles Lakers ended the Denver Nuggets’ nine-game winning run on Saturday with a 123-100 victory in Colorado.
Doncic made just his fourth appearance for the Lakers since his move from Dallas on 2 February and he was in fine form as they produced a statement win over their Western Conference rivals.
Doncic finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists while LeBron James was one of four players to get more than 20 points with 25.
“I’m starting to feel a little bit more like myself – that’s why I was smiling the whole game,” Doncic told ESPN.
“There’s still a lot of room for improvement and this is only my fourth game. Chemistry takes time. But you saw today that things are getting better.”
Meanwhile, Nic Claxton’s offensive rebound at the buzzer ensured the Brooklyn Nets edged past the Philadelphia 76ers.
Tyrese Maxey had tied the game with a three-pointer before Brooklyn’s Keon Johnson missed one with two seconds remaining.
However, Claxton caught the rebound and scored as the horn sounded.
The Portland Trail Blazers recorded their biggest winning margin in NBA history as they defeated the Charlotte Hornets 141-88.
Anfernee Simons scored 25 points while Toumani Camara recorded 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and Shaedon Sharpe hit 20 points off the bench.
Finally, the Utah Jazz beat the Houston Rockets 124-115 while the Phoenix Suns defeated the Chicago Bulls 121-117.
