The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 120-108 victory over the Denver Nuggets on March 19, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena.
Luka Dončić delivered an impressive performance, recording 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in just three quarters. Notably, he scored 21 of his points in the first quarter, setting a dominant tone early in the game. Austin Reaves also played a key role, scoring 22 points and dishing out 8 assists.
The Lakers were without LeBron James (groin injury) and Rui Hachimura (knee injury), yet managed to extend their home winning streak to nine games.
First Quarter Explosion & Luka’s Trash Talk Moment
The Lakers came out firing on all cylinders, putting up a season-high 46 points in the first quarter. Dončić was simply unstoppable, marking his highest-scoring quarter since joining the team. The Lakers also knocked down nine three-pointers, tying a franchise record for most in a single quarter.
A memorable moment came in the final minute of the first quarter when Dončić was awarded two free throws. After missing the first, a Denver Nuggets fan shouted, “Ball don’t lie!”
Without missing a beat, Luka turned to the fan and delivered some classic trash talk:
“I got 20, you talking about ball don’t lie?”
He then calmly sank the second free throw, further igniting the crowd.
Luka on the Crowd & Finding His Rhythm
Since joining the Lakers, Dončić has quickly embraced the home atmosphere.
“It’s always easy to play at home. You got the crowd,” he said postgame.
On his early dominance inside the arc, he explained:
“It’s easy for me to start there, just driving the ball. When I drive, it gets better for everybody on the court.”
When asked how he feeds off the energy in Crypto.com Arena, he added:
“When I hit some crazy shots, I know the crowd goes crazy and it just gives energy. Not just for me, also for the whole team.”
Standings Impact & What’s Next
This crucial victory improved the Lakers’ record to 43-25, tying them with the Nuggets for third place in the Western Conference standings. With the playoff race heating up, every win matters as the Lakers push for home-court advantage.
The Lakers will now look to continue their momentum, while the Nuggets hope to get their stars back soon as they battle for seeding in the tightly contested Western Conference.
