Luka Doncic won't play against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, joining LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers' lengthy list of unavailable players. The Lakers ruled the star guard out on the second night of back-to-back games because of left calf injury management and a right ankle sprain.

James, who entered the game one point shy of 50,000 total in regular season and playoff scoring, got across the threshold with a first quarter three before making four more. He scored 34 to lead the Lakers, along with eight rebounds and six assists, either he or Doncic perfectly picking the opposition apart at all times.

In the 10 games Doncic has appeared in since the trade, Los Angeles is 8-2. They've now won eight games in a row. And while Doncic, after a bit of a slow start in a Lakers uniform, has now found his stride, the play of James, particularly on the defensive end of the floor, has been a major factor behind LA's winning streak.