The Los Angeles Lakers got an all-important 120-108 win over the Denver Nuggets. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were once again brilliant for the Lakers, scoring a majority of their points and setting up their teammates very well. After the game, Lakers legend James Worthy had glowing comparisons for both, likening them to Magic Johnson and Pete Maravich respectively.
James Worthy on Luka Doncic: “I haven’t seen anybody like this kid since Magic Johnson.”
James Worthy on Austin Reaves: “I’m telling you people. Google Pistol Pete. That’s him.”
This is high praise for both stars given who the praise is coming from, and whom they are being compared to.
In all honesty, we have heard the comparisons between Magic Johnson and Luka Doncic multiple times. It is no coincidence that one of Luka’s most popular nicknames comes from the Lakers legend, as he was christened ‘Luka Magic’ very quickly upon his arrival to the NBA. And given how the two mercurial point guards have similar builds and playing styles, the comparison is apt.
The comparisons to Pete Maravich are definitely new for Austin Reaves. While Reaves is a fantastic player, few believe he has reached the heights of the infamous ‘Pistol’. However, given the two players’ similar playing styles and builds, you can understand why Worthy made the comparison.
Both stars had great games against the Nuggets. Luka Doncic dropped 31 points (10-21 FG), eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block. As for Austin Reaves, he delivered 22 points (8-16 FG), five rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block. The two combined for 53 of the Lakers’ 120 points on the night, despite the fact that they sat for a good chunk of the fourth quarter.
The Lakers got an all-important win over the Nuggets. With this victory, they leapfrog the Nuggets to go third in the Western Conference with a 43-25 record. They play again tonight, facing the Milwaukee Bucks, and a win over them could give them some breathing room over the Nuggets and help them put pressure on the Rockets, who currently hold the second seed.
The fact that Reaves and Doncic have begun to click as a pair is coming right as LeBron James went down injured is a godsend for the Lakers. They had their two most important players (aside from James) take over the team in his absence and make sure that they didn’t suffer too much as a result.
Of course, the first few games without LeBron did result in some significant losses. But they have found their bearings over the last few games and made up the deficit they created for themselves over that stretch. The Lakers are currently one of the best teams in the NBA.
And given that they will welcome back LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, two important starters on their team, very soon, the Lakers have to be considered a serious threat to make it out of the West this season.
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