The Los Angeles Lakers recorded a blowout 123-100 win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday, February 22, at the Ball Arena in Denver. With this, the fifth-seeded Western Conference team not only registered their second straight win, but also snapped the nine-game winning streak of their rivals.
The game saw the Lakers’ newly-acquired Luka Doncic finally announcing his arrival after a series of underwhelming performances. Playing his fourth game in the purple and gold jersey, Doncic not only finished with 32 points, but also led the scoresheet in the game.
While the former Dallas Mavericks star was the star performer, the Saturday-night gameplay also saw the Lakers icon LeBron James entering his name into record books once again. As James finished with 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists, he surpassed the legendary Michael Jordan for another remarkable NBA record.
James now holds the record of most 25-point games after turning 40 years old with 12. Jordan, on the other hand, Jordan had 11 25-point games after he turned 40. His final 25-point game came during the 2002-03 season during the 91-87 win over the Miami Heat.
The Lakers icon, who turned 40 in December 2024, has been averaging at 30.3 points, 8 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game since the All-Star break. He missed the star-studded fixture due to ankle soreness, but has been in action since then.
Earlier this week, during the 110-102 win over the Trail Blazers, James became the first player in the NBA to have multiple 40+ point games over the age of 40.
The four-time NBA champion has maintained a solid average of 24.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game this season.
“It fits perfectly”- LeBron James opens up on bonding with Luka Doncic after Nuggets win
After the Lakers recorded their 34th win of the season, LeBron James opened up on the bonding he has with the new superstar Luka Doncic. Notably, Doncic, who was acquired by the Lakers ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, was struggling to find his rhythm back ever since his return to action.
Coming back in action after almost two months due to a calf injury, Doncic was averaging 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in his first three games for the Lakers.
However, the five-time NBA All-Star did find his mojo back and put on a remarkable show against the Nuggets.
It was his first 30+ point game for the Lakers, as he repaid all the faith that his new franchise as well as fans showed in him.
After the game, LeBron James opened up on the bonding he has with his new teammate. Talking about their respective gameplays, James said that they both fit perfectly.
“I’m a natural-born wide receiver and he’s a natural-born quarterback, so it fits perfectly,” James said.
“I’ve been running the floor and running lanes pretty much my whole life and he’s been throwing great passes pretty much his whole life so it’s not hard to get a rhythm when it comes to that.”
“It’s just all about eye contact and him being the great quarterback he is and me being the recipient of it, “ LeBron added.
Notably, both the players will be up against Luka’s former team Dallas Mavericks in a highly-anticipated clash on Tuesday, February 25.