Luka Dončić’ scores 31 points, with 21 in 1st quarter, to lead short-handed Lakers over short-handed Nuggets

In a game between two teams missing multiple starters, the Los Angeles Lakers still had Luka Dončić. That ended up making a pretty big difference.

Behind 31 points from the superstar many believe they shouldn’t have, the Lakers overwhelmed the Denver Nuggets 120-108 on Wednesday for their third straight win. They never trailed in the game and led by as many as 30 points.

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Dončić shot 10-of-21 from the field (4-of-9 from 3-point range) with nine rebounds, seven assists and six turnovers).

The Nuggets entered the game with few expectations after ruling out Nikola Jokić (elbow/ankle) and Jamal Murray (ankle), though the Lakers were still playing without LeBron James (groin), watching the game in a Columbus Blue Jackets jersey, and Rui Hachimura (knee).