LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic had 31 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in just three quarters of work, and the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Denver Nuggets 120-108 on Wednesday night (Thursday, March 20, 2025, PH time) in a matchup of injury-depleted Western Conference contenders.
Nikola Jokic (elbow) and Jamal Murray (ankle) missed their second straight games for Denver, while LeBron James (hamstring) and Rui Hachimura (knee) continued their longer-term absences for Los Angeles.
Austin Reaves had 22 points and eight assists for the Lakers, who have won nine consecutive home games and three straight since finishing their 0-4 road trip last Friday with a loss at Denver.
Aaron Gordon scored 26 points for the Nuggets.
The Lakers scored a season-high 46 points in the first quarter led by Doncic, who scorched Denver for 21 points in his highest-scoring quarter of the season. He missed the Lakers’ 131-126 loss to Denver last Friday, when the Lakers nearly won without him and James.
Los Angeles led by 28 after three quarters, allowing Doncic to get extra rest amid five home games in seven days.
Bronny James played the final 3:58.
Even without Jokic and Murray, Denver’s offense wasn’t the problem. Los Angeles made 60% of its shots in the first three quarters.
Doncic dominated early, but they’re thriving with balance. Six Lakers scored in double figures, and big men Jaxson Hayes and Christian Koloko played solid defense.
Doncic was afire from the opening tip, scoring nine points in less than three minutes and 20 points in about eight minutes. He led an 18-2 run midway through the first quarter with three 3-pointers and three assists before cooling off.
Doncic scored 30 points for the 200th time in his NBA career. He’s done it eight times in 16 games with LA.
Sandro makes history
SAN ANTONIO — Sandro Mamukelashvili scored a career-high 34 points on 13-for-14 shooting in 19 minutes to become the first player in NBA history to score 34 points while playing less than 20 minutes as the San Antonio Spurs upended the New York Knicks 120-105.
Mamukelashvili, who was 7 for 7 from 3-point range, had 13 points, seven rebounds, and an assist in eight minutes in the first half as San Antonio rolled to a 28-point lead.
He had 21 points in the final quarter to help the Spurs secure the victory.
Stephon Castle added 22 points as San Antonio won for the third time in eight games. Chris Paul added 12 points and nine assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and nine rebounds to lead New York, while OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges added 14 points each. The Knicks are 3-3 since Jalen Brunson suffered a sprained right ankle.
Elsewhere, the Indiana Pacers rallied past the Dallas Mavericks 135-131, Houston Rockets won 116-108 at Orlando, Detroit Pistons triumphed 116-113 at Miami, New Orleans Pelicans defeated Minnesota Timberwolves 119-115, Oklahoma City Thunder cruised past Philadelphia 76ers 133-100, Utah Jazz triumphed 128-112 vs. Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings won 123-119 over Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns beat Chicago Bulls 127-121, and the Portland Trai Blazers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 115-99. / AP