The Los Angeles Lakers once again found themselves overpowered by their perennial nemesis, the Denver Nuggets, in a 127-102 blowout on Saturday night. This marked yet another humbling defeat in what has become a lopsided rivalry. The Nuggets dominated the second half, leaving the Lakers with few answers. Austin Reaves, one of the bright spots in the game, summed up the situation bluntly:
“Last year was last year. The year before was so long ago, I could barely remember what I did yesterday. Yeah, tonight they beat the s**t out of us.”
Reaves’ raw honesty reflected the mounting frustration within the Lakers organization. Coming off a solid performance of 19 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds, Reaves could only do so much to stem the tide. The Lakers initially built a promising six-point lead heading into halftime, only to collapse spectacularly in the third quarter. Denver outscored Los Angeles 37-15 in that period, effectively sealing the game.
Reaves didn’t mince words about the team’s abysmal showing, particularly in the decisive quarter.
“I think we just played one of the worst quarters you could possibly play. The energy was down from the first possession in the third quarter and they took advantage and ran away with the game.”
“I mean, I think that’s kind of just what I said. I’m sure JJ said as well, just wasn’t good enough. That should never be the problem. If we compete and lose off of not making shots or the other things, other than not playing hard, then you can live with those results. Tonight, in that third quarter, just didn’t play hard.”
The frustration was palpable not just from Reaves but also from head coach JJ Redick, who voiced his own concerns about the team’s lack of intensity.
Redick’s remarks came as the Lakers failed to capitalize on their early momentum, committing costly turnovers and displaying glaring defensive lapses.
The third quarter proved catastrophic for the Lakers, as Denver’s relentless offense and suffocating defense put the game out of reach. Nikola Jokic, as usual, orchestrated Denver’s attack with his trademark brilliance.
He finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists, completely outplaying the Lakers’ star duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook added to the Lakers’ woes, with Porter Jr. going 3-for-3 from beyond the arc during Denver’s critical run. Westbrook, meanwhile, delivered a vintage performance, tallying 14 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds, punctuated by a dagger three-pointer that silenced the crowd.
For the Lakers, the loss raised familiar questions about their ability to compete with top-tier teams. Anthony Davis had a particularly rough outing, managing only 14 points on 6-of-19 shooting. His inability to establish a rhythm offensively further underscored the Lakers’ struggles.
LeBron James, while contributing 18 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds, failed to impose his will in the second half. The team as a whole shot a dismal 36.1% from three-point range, compared to Denver’s blistering 50%.
The loss was especially disheartening given the context. After a promising 10-5 start to the season, the Lakers hoped to make a statement against a team that has consistently outclassed them. Instead, the game served as a harsh reminder of the gap that still exists between the Lakers and the reigning Western Conference champions. The defeat marked the Lakers’ 13th loss in their last 14 matchups against the Nuggets, a streak that has undeniably taken a psychological toll.
Despite the disappointment, there were some silver linings. Reaves continued to prove his value as a reliable offensive contributor, and Rui Hachimura, returning to the lineup after an absence, provided a spark with 10 points and two crucial three-pointers. However, these individual performances were overshadowed by the team’s collective shortcomings.
Looking ahead, the Lakers must find a way to address their recurring issues. Turnovers, defensive breakdowns, and lackluster energy have become recurring themes in their losses. With a tough schedule ahead, including matchups against other playoff-caliber teams, the Lakers need to regroup quickly if they hope to establish themselves as legitimate contenders.
For now, the sting of yet another defeat at the hands of the Nuggets lingers. Reaves’ blunt assessment encapsulated the mood. It’s a sentiment that reflects both the frustration and the challenge that lies ahead for a Lakers team searching for answers in a highly competitive Western Conference.
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