The Los Angeles Lakers put on a defensive clinic against Nikola Jokic, holding him to just seven shot attempts and forcing him into one of his most inefficient performances of the season.
Their approach was clear from the opening tip: make Jokic uncomfortable, deny him easy post touches, and force him to make decisions under constant pressure. By executing a well-coordinated mix of fronting, doubling, and switching, the Lakers neutralized the Nuggets’ offensive engine. Let’s break down how they did it, possession by possession.
In the very first possession of the game, the Lakers immediately showed their intent. As the Nuggets brought the ball up, Jokic attempted to establish himself in the post against Rui Hachimura. Before he could even catch the ball, LeBron James rotated over to apply extra pressure, making it difficult for him to secure possession.
With James closing in and Rui being physical, Jokic was forced into a quick touch pass, which was deflected. The ball eventually found its way to Michael Porter Jr., who was left with no other option but to take a tough mid-range jumper that clanked off the rim. The Lakers had already disrupted Denver’s rhythm from the get-go.
I was really impressed with the Lakers defense on Jokic tonight. Here are some clips that stood out. In this transition clip, Hachimura jumps into a front, LeBron helps as the pass arrives to cover Rui . pic.twitter.com/Tkk3UqOYXR
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 23, 2025
A few possessions later, Denver went to one of their staple plays: using Jokic at the elbow to initiate offense. The Lakers, however, were prepared. They executed an off-ball switch, putting Austin Reaves in a fronting position against Jokic.
When the Nuggets tried to reset and get the ball inside, Aaron Gordon flashed to the high post, hoping to draw a defender away. Instead, LeBron seamlessly switched onto Reaves’ man, allowing Doncic to rotate and block Gordon’s layup from behind. This possession was a prime example of how the Lakers’ defensive IQ and quick rotations nullified Denver’s usual actions.
This was a great possession, Nuggets go to their elbow game, Lakers switch off ball and then Reaves switches onto Jokic, then goes into a front, Murray works to reset to get the ball to Jokic, Gordon flashes to the high post, LeBron switches Reaves out, Doncic blocks Gordon's… pic.twitter.com/Ou8C2gZB8o
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 23, 2025
In another attempt to free up Jokic, the Nuggets ran a cross-screen play, hoping to get him a deep post touch away from the Lakers’ relentless fronting. The moment he caught the ball, Reaves abandoned his man to double-team him along the baseline.
James took over guarding Porter Jr., while Doncic made a sharp late rotation to contest the open shooter. Jokic, seeing no clear scoring opportunity, was forced into a difficult kick-out pass. Again, the Lakers had timed their double perfectly, arriving on the catch rather than too early or too late.
The Nuggets use Jokic to set a cross screen to get him a post touch to get away from the Lakers' fronting. As Jokic backs down Reaves comes off MPJ and right is there as he turns baseline, LeBron takes Porter, Jokic kicks to Gordon with Doncic a little late on the closeout but… pic.twitter.com/OayBhOBUgL
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 23, 2025
One of the most impressive possessions came when Denver tried to use Jokic as a screener, hoping to free him up from the Lakers’ defensive pressure. But as soon as he rolled, Jarred Vanderbilt jumped the passing lane and got a steal.
Luka Doncic, positioned perfectly in help defense, anticipated the play and ensured Jokic never got a clean look. This forced another turnover, highlighting how the Lakers’ aggressive, well-coordinated defense was completely throwing the Nuggets off balance.
This is an awful pass but look at the Lakers defense. Vanderbilt gets the steal off the front and Luka is in perfect help position as the pass arrives. pic.twitter.com/EJXCmMM0tT
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 23, 2025
In another sequence, the Nuggets tried to exploit their size by setting a cross-screen for Jokic to establish deep post position. Reaves played perfect off-ball defense, slowing down Jokic’s movement before switching into a fronting position.
Hachimura provided backside help, ensuring there was no easy lob pass over the top. As Jokic worked his way to the other block, Hayes sagged off Gordon just enough to prevent a clean passing lane, once again stifling Denver’s offensive flow.
First look at how physical the Lakers are with Jokic as he comes off the screen, Reaves buys time for Rui to recover. Hachimura jumps right into a front, Reaves hangs behind to take away the pass over the top, as Jokic works towards the other block, Hayes drops off Gordon to help… pic.twitter.com/KiKwfKiDNi
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 23, 2025
Later in the game, the Lakers continued applying relentless pressure. On one play, Reaves attempted to draw a charge but didn’t get the call. Still, the Lakers did an excellent job of bringing a second defender at just the right time, forcing Jokic to pass out of the post.
Reaves doesn't get the charge call but the Lakers again do a great job bringing a second body on the backside of these fronts. pic.twitter.com/UASoDbFB7a
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 23, 2025
On another possession, LeBron took the responsibility of fronting Jokic, preventing an easy catch. As soon as Jokic tried to move, Doncic rotated from the baseline to help, while Hachimura doubled from the opposite slot, forcing another turnover.
Now LeBron is fronting Jokic until he works around it. Doncic comes from teh baseline to help and Rui comes from the opposite slot to double as well with high hands and forces the turnover. pic.twitter.com/gS8FMOaw1l
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 23, 2025
In yet another instance, Denver tried to initiate their offense through a drive from Christian Braun. The Lakers adapted by helping off the drive, with Hachimura quickly doubling Jokic on the baseline as soon as the ball swung his way. This forced Jokic into a tough pass that resulted in another wasted possession for Denver.
The Lakers go from fronting, helping off Braun's drive, then Hachimura doubles Jokic form the baseline forcing another turnover. pic.twitter.com/zbZ2DhZ2EA
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 23, 2025
The Lakers’ defensive strategy was brilliant in its execution. They consistently sent multiple defenders at Jokic, crowding his space and making it nearly impossible for him to find his rhythm.
The key was the timing of their doubles—arriving precisely as Jokic caught the ball rather than prematurely, which would have allowed him to pick apart the defense with his elite passing. The physicality from Vanderbilt, who picked up three early fouls, also played a role in making Jokic uncomfortable.
By the end of the game, Jokic had attempted just seven shots, finishing with 12 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and six turnovers. His plus-minus of -11 reflected how much the Lakers had disrupted his impact. This game plan was executed to perfection, with the Lakers forcing Denver’s role players to try and beat them, a strategy that ultimately led to a dominant 123-100 victory.
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