Luka Doncic scores 31 after a big 1st quarter, and the Lakers rout the depleted Nuggets 120-108

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic had 31 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in just three quarters of work, and the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Denver Nuggets 120-108 on Wednesday night in a matchup of injury-depleted Western Conference contenders.

Nikola Jokic (elbow) and Jamal Murray (ankle) missed their second straight games for Denver, while LeBron James (hamstring) and Rui Hachimura (knee) continued their longer-term absences for Los Angeles.

Austin Reaves had 22 points and eight assists for the Lakers, who have won nine consecutive home games and three straight since finishing their 0-4 road trip last Friday with a loss at Denver.

Aaron Gordon scored 26 points for the Nuggets.

The Lakers scored a season-high 46 points in the first quarter led by Doncic, who scorched Denver for 21 points in his highest-scoring quarter of the season. He missed the Lakers’ 131-126 loss to Denver last Friday, when the Lakers nearly won without him and James.

Los Angeles led by 28 after three quarters, allowing Doncic to get extra rest amid five home games in seven days.

Bronny James played the final 3:58.

Nuggets: Even without Jokic and Murray, offense wasn't the problem. Los Angeles made 60% of its shots in the first three quarters.

Lakers: Doncic dominated early, but they're thriving with balance. Six Lakers scored in double figures, and big men Jaxson Hayes and Christian Koloko played solid defense.

Doncic was afire from the opening tip, scoring nine points in less than three minutes and 20 points in about eight minutes. He led an 18-2 run midway through the first quarter with three 3-pointers and three assists before cooling off.

Doncic scored 30 points for the 200th time in his NBA career. He's done it eight times in 16 games with LA.

The Nuggets visit the Trail Blazers on Friday. The Lakers host the Bucks on Thursday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, shoots as Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, left, laughs as he sits on the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, gestures after scoring as Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook stands by during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, left, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic reach for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic gestures during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

MIAMI (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 36 points, Davion Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins each added 16 and the Miami Heat beat the Atlanta Hawks 122-112 on Thursday night for their third straight win.

Bam Adebayo had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Miami, which trailed by 14 in the first quarter but controlled the second half.

Trae Young had 29 points and 12 assists for the Hawks, who got 17 points from Caris LeVert and 15 from Oneyka Okongwu.

The win moved the Heat (32-41) within three games of Atlanta (35-38) for the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, both having nine games left to play. Miami's win also clinched a playoff berth for the New York Knicks and eliminated the Brooklyn Nets from postseason contention.

Hawks: Young's 11th assist moved him past Wilt Chamberlain (4,643) for 85th on the NBA's career list. Young is on pace to lead the NBA in total assists for the third time in the last four seasons.

Heat: Herro is 31 for 46 (.674) from the field in Miami’s last three games, along with 10 of 15 (.667) from 3-point range. He’s averaging 28.3 points in that span.

The biggest shot of the night for Miami might have been Herro's 3-pointer with 2:18 left, coming one possession after Atlanta got within five — the closest the Hawks had been in the second half.

Mitchell had a quirky streak end. He had scored exactly 12 points in each of his last five Heat games. He was the second player with such a streak in NBA history; the other was Benoit Benjamin in 1988. But Mitchell's 3-pointer with 8:11 left gave him 13 points Thursday.

Atlanta finishes a three-game road trip Sunday in Milwaukee. Miami starts a three-game trip Saturday in Philadelphia.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) takes a shot over Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7) and gets fouled on the play during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) looks for a passing lane as Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) and center Kel'el Ware (7) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) grabs a rebound over Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) looks to pass the ball as Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware, middle, and guard Alec Burks (18) close in during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) goes up for a shot over Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) brings the ball up the court as Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Atlanta Hawks guard Caris LeVert (3) takes a shot past Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) and guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) drives to the basket as Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) center Kel'el Ware (7), left, defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)