"I think everybody senses the moment and sees the opportunity at hand," Gordon, a 6'8" forward from Arizona, said. Despite missing 23 games due to various injuries, Gordon said he and the Nuggets are in good health heading into the regular season's homestretch.

In the first 10 years of his NBA career, Aaron Gordon never shot better than 35% from 3-point range. This season, the Nuggets' starting power forward is on pace to shoot better than 40%.

The victory offered plenty of promise for the new-look Lakers, with Luka Doncic, acquired at the deadline, going off for 32 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in his best game since being traded to Los Angeles. After the win, head coach JJ Redick offered some fiery words for his team in the locker room.

Winners of 13 of their last 14 against the Lakers and eight consecutive head-to-head matchups at home, the Nuggets (37-20) were taken out of their comfort zone by a new-look Los Angeles roster. Anthony Davis was the player cashed in for Doncic, but somehow it was the Lakers’ defense that affected the hosts most. Denver shot 40% from the floor.

LeBron James added 25 points, Austin Reaves scored 23 and Rui Hachimura had 21 when he left holding his left side with 10 minutes remaining — the Lakers didn’t miss him, going on a 12-2 run to stretch their lead to 19.