The Lakers–Nuggets rivalry took an ugly turn on Friday night as fans from both sides brawled at Ball Arena following Denver’s 131-126 victory. What had been a thrilling, back-and-forth contest between two Western Conference heavyweights quickly devolved into chaos, with multiple fights breaking out in the stands and concourses after the game.
Videos posted on social media showed a violent altercation involving several fans, including women, with one person even being dragged across the floor.
FIGHT BETWEEN LAKERS AND NUGGETS FANS. 😳
(via @jerharlanCNN)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 15, 2025
It remains unclear what sparked the brawl, but emotions were clearly running high after a nail-biting finish. The Lakers, playing without key stars including LeBron James and Luka Doncic, had put up an incredible fight despite their depleted roster.
Reaves stepped up with 37 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds, while rookie Dalton Knecht exploded for 32 points on 48.1% shooting.
They led 126-123 with under a minute left, only to see Nikola Jokic (28 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals) tie the game with a clutch three-point play. Austin Reaves then missed a potential go-ahead shot, and Jamal Murray (26 points, five assists, four rebounds) delivered the final dagger with a cold-blooded three-pointer.
The game ended on a sour note for Lakers fans when Russell Westbrook (17 points, six rebounds, seven assists) stole the inbounds pass and dunked to seal the win for Denver.
While the on-court battle was intense, the action in the stands was even more dramatic. Videos circulating online show a Nuggets fan throwing a punch at a Lakers supporter, igniting a full-scale melee.
Security was noticeably absent for a disturbingly long period as fans continued to exchange blows, tumble over seats, and wrestle on the floor. The footage even captured a woman getting dragged across the floor during the chaos, highlighting just how out of control the situation became.
The brawl is just the latest in a growing list of violent incidents involving fans at Ball Arena. Denver has developed a reputation for heated altercations in recent years, from the infamous “Suns in 4” beatdown in 2021 to multiple fights involving Nikola Jokic’s brothers during last year’s playoffs.
In 2023, a female Nuggets fan even sued the arena after claiming she was assaulted in a restroom during a Lakers game while security failed to intervene. And just last year, Strahinja Jokic, Nikola’s older brother, was charged with misdemeanor assault after allegedly punching a Lakers fan outside the arena.
With tensions between Lakers and Nuggets fans boiling over, it’s clear that this rivalry is becoming one of the NBA’s most hostile. Denver swept Los Angeles in last year’s Western Conference Finals, and the Lakers haven’t forgotten the humiliation.
Nuggets players, led by Jokic and Murray, have consistently delivered in big moments against Los Angeles, fueling frustration among Lakers fans who see their team falling short in these critical matchups.
The NBA has yet to issue a statement regarding the latest incident, but Ball Arena’s lack of security presence is sure to be scrutinized. Fans have taken to social media to demand stricter enforcement and better safety measures, arguing that the league must do more to prevent these fights from becoming a regular occurrence.
While the rivalry itself is great for basketball, the violence surrounding it is not. If Ball Arena continues to be a hotspot for brawls, both the NBA and arena management will need to step in before a truly serious injury—or worse—occurs.
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