Lakers Fall Short in Gritty Effort Against Nuggets
Luka Dončić watched from the sidelines as the Los Angeles Lakers nearly pulled off an upset against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, ultimately falling 131-126. Despite missing four starters, the short-handed Lakers battled back from a double-digit deficit, taking a late lead before Denver’s clutch execution sealed the game.
Dončić, who scored 45 points in a loss to Milwaukee the night before, was ruled out due to left calf injury management and a right ankle sprain. He joined LeBron James on the Lakers’ extensive injury list.
“Yeah, just the nature of a bunch of guys dealing with injuries and the schedule. There is not much we can do about that,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick before tipoff. “But we are going to try to win a basketball game.”
The Lakers nearly did just that, surging ahead 126-123 in the final minute behind standout performances from Austin Reaves (37 points) and rookie Dalton Knecht (32 points). However, Nikola Jokić’s three-point play tied the game, and Jamal Murray’s clutch three-pointer with 5.6 seconds remaining put Denver ahead for good. Russell Westbrook then sealed the win with a steal and a dunk.
James missed his third consecutive game due to a left groin strain and had returned to Los Angeles alongside Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy) and Jaxson Hayes (bruised right knee). Additionally, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent were sidelined with left ankle injuries.
Bronny James, recently recalled from the G League, played 16 minutes and contributed five points.
Redick noted that James, Hachimura, and Hayes would be evaluated on a day-to-day basis once the team returns to California for a five-game homestand beginning Sunday against the Phoenix Suns.
Despite their own grueling schedule, the Nuggets recognized they should have been more dominant against a depleted Lakers squad.
“This isn’t a beauty pageant,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “We don’t get rated on our wins. But a good win. We’re down three with 52 seconds to go. We close out 8-0, some really good late-game execution, shot-making, got some timely shots. But give them credit. They played their hearts out. They made this a game.”