Luka Doncic Makes Lakers History in Nuggets Game By Athlon NBA Staff Athlon Sports Updated March 19, 2025 9:38 PM Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic has been asked to shoulder a significant offensive load in the injury absence of LeBron James.

In four appearances since James went down with a groin injury, Doncic has averaged 30.3 points and 9.3 assists. Continuing his strong play, the five-time All-Star erupted for 21 first quarter points against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.

Doncic’s 21-point first quarter was a season high in any quarter for him, and it also led the Lakers to a season-high 46-point frame (via Jovan Buha of The Athletic).

If this wasn’t enough, Doncic also made Lakers history in the first quarter of Wednesday night’s game.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images With his first 3-pointer of the game, Doncic converted on his 50th shot from deep in a Lakers uniform.

Needing just 16 games to reach that number, Doncic became the fastest player in franchise history to do it. “Luka Doncic becomes the fastest player in Lakers franchise history to record 50+ 3PM,” StatMamba on X posted.

Luka Doncic becomes the fastest player in Lakers franchise history to record 50+ 3PM pic.twitter.com/fQOVHQCzMs — StatMamba (@StatMamba) March 20, 2025 Doncic entered Wednesday with 1,325 career 3-pointers which ranks 38th among active players.

Considering the Slovenian guard is in just his seventh NBA season, he projects to rapidly ascend up this list.

Since joining the Lakers, Doncic has averaged 26.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists in 15 contests. LA entered Wednesday with a 10-5 record when Doncic plays.

The Lakers and Nuggets came into play tied in the loss column, making this a critical Western Conference matchup.

With Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray sidelined, Doncic wasted no time getting the Lakers out to a 46-29 lead after one quarter.