The Los Angeles Lakers are in contention to bring a 19th banner as champions, including an 18th one as champions of the National Basketball Association into Crypto.com Arena.
People have questioned his commitment to to conditioning, being in better shape, and adding some defense to his arsenal, yet Luka Doncic has responded with the Lakers playing its best basketball at the right time. Los Angeles is on fire, especially after Wednesday’s critical victory over the Denver Nuggets. Doncic had a game-high 31 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field.
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He paced Los Angeles’ offense with four made three-point shots, while grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out seven assists, having two steals and a blocked shot. It was his seventh game as a Laker where Doncic scored at least 30 points, pacing the group to a 120-108 win over Denver. His energy, scoring ability, star power, and leadership has helped LeBron James take his time in recovering from a groin injury. Doncic’s performance has Los Angeles (43-25) in third place in the Western Conference playoff picture; however, an opportunity to move up in seeding remains alive. It may not catch the Oklahoma City Thunder (57-12), but the Lakers could finish the regular season as the No. 2 seed if it passes up Houston. The Rockets are 45-25 and have 12 matchups left, including two versus Los Angeles. Doncic wants a ring in his sixth season, and he’s making this chance count out west.
He leads the Lakers against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him him X via @CoachingMSmith.
