Luka Doncic put on a show in Denver, racking up a triple-double and leading a second-half surge that flipped the script on what looked like a comfortable Nuggets win. The Lakers rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to stun the defending champs on their home floor, holding Jamal Murray to just two points after the break and outscoring Denver 48-36 in the second half.
Let’s break down how it all unfolded - and how the Lakers turned a blowout into a statement win.
Jamal Murray Starts Hot - Then Gets Ice Cold
Jamal Murray came out firing like a man on a mission. He dropped 26 points in the first half, including a buzzer-beating bomb from half-court to close the second quarter. At that point, it looked like he was on his way to another signature performance in what’s shaping up to be the best season of his career.
Murray was in rhythm early - attacking off the dribble, pulling up with confidence, and finding his spots against a Lakers defense that had no answers. Denver, feeding off his energy, built a 71-57 halftime lead. Spencer Jones was perfect from deep in the first half (4-for-4), and both Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon chipped in with 18 points apiece, helping spread the floor and keep the Lakers on their heels.
But that momentum didn’t last.
Lakers Flip the Switch in the Second Half
Whatever was said in the Lakers’ locker room at halftime, it worked. The defensive intensity ratcheted up, and suddenly Murray couldn’t find any daylight.
The Lakers threw different looks at him - switching, trapping, fighting over screens - and it completely disrupted his rhythm. After 26 first-half points, Murray managed just two the rest of the way, both coming in the final minute of the game.
That defensive clampdown was the turning point. Denver’s offense stalled, and the Lakers pounced.
They outscored the Nuggets 29-17 in the third quarter, cutting the lead and shifting the momentum. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Denver looked out of sync - their spacing was off, ball movement slowed, and the Lakers smelled blood.
The Nuggets managed just 19 points in the fourth, bringing their second-half total to 36 - their lowest in any second half this season. For a team that thrives on offensive rhythm and flow, it was a stunning collapse.
Doncic Does It All
While the Lakers’ defense took over the second half, Luka Doncic was doing Luka Doncic things all night. The league’s leading scorer once again proved why he's in the MVP conversation, dropping a game-high 38 points on an efficient 12-of-21 shooting. He added 13 rebounds and 10 assists, notching another triple-double in what’s becoming a nightly routine.
Even though he wasn’t lights out from deep (3-for-9 from three), Doncic controlled the tempo, picked apart mismatches, and found open shooters when the Nuggets sent help. His ability to manipulate the defense opened up clean looks for his teammates, and the Lakers capitalized - shooting 40% from beyond the arc as a team (10-for-25).
LeBron James was steady throughout, finishing just shy of a triple-double himself with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. It was a classic LeBron performance - facilitating, rebounding, and making the right plays when it mattered most.
Final Thoughts
This was more than just a regular-season win for the Lakers. It was a reminder that when they lock in defensively and lean on their stars, they can beat anyone - even the reigning champs on their home floor.
For the Nuggets, this one stings. They had full control at halftime, with Murray looking unstoppable and the offense humming. But the second-half collapse exposed some cracks - particularly the lack of a secondary creator when Murray is taken out of the game.
The Lakers took the punch early, adjusted, and delivered the knockout blow late. And once again, Luka Doncic proved he’s not just putting up numbers - he’s putting his stamp on games when it matters most.