On March 14, 2025, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 131-126 at Ball Arena in Denver.
On March 14, 2025, the Denver Nuggets claimed a 131-126 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in a tightly contested matchup at Ball Arena. Despite being without key players such as LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers showed resilience and fought hard throughout the game.
Nikola Jokic was the star for the Denver Nuggets, recording 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists. Jamal murry also stepped up, contributing 26 points in the contest
Key Performances
Denver Nuggets:
- Nikola Jokic: 28 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists
- Jamal Murray: 26 points, including a clutch 3-pointer in the closing moments
- Christian Braun: 22 points
- Russell Westbrook: 17 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds
Los Angeles Lakers:
- Austin Reaves: 37 points, 13 assists, 8 rebounds
- Dalton Knecht: 32 points
The Denver Nuggets are now 2-1 against the Los Angeles Lakers this season and boast a solid 43-24 record overall. Following the Memphis Grizzlies’ defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, the Nuggets have claimed sole possession of the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. This strong standing puts them in an excellent position as they look to build on their success and solidify their playoff positioning for the remainder of the season.
Key Moments In Match
Key Moments:
- Lakers’ Fast Start: The Lakers exploded out of the gate, pouring in 40 points in the first quarter to seize early control of the game.
- Nuggets Rally Back: Led by Nikola Jokić’s 28 points and Jamal Murray’s 26, Denver steadily chipped away at the deficit, turning the tide in their favor.
- Reaves’ Heroics: With the Lakers missing key stars, Austin Reaves stepped up in a big way, delivering a brilliant 37-point, 8-rebound, 13-assist performance to keep them in the fight.
- Murray’s Game-Sealing Three: With just 6.2 seconds remaining, Jamal Murray drilled a clutch three-pointer, putting the game out of reach and securing the win for Denver.
The Los Angeles Lakers were without key players?
The Los Angeles Lakers faced the Denver Nuggets without several key players due to injuries:
- LeBron James was out with a left groin strain, expected to sideline him for 1-2 weeks.
- Luka Dončić experienced back soreness, though he reassured that he feels fine.
- Rui Hachimura is dealing with patella tendinopathy in his left knee and will be out for at least another week.
Despite these setbacks, the Lakers fought hard but fell short in a 131-126 loss. Austin Reaves led the charge with a career-high 37 points, while rookie Dalton Knecht impressed with 32 points.
Nikola Jokić’s and Jamal Murray crucial performance.
Nikola Joki led the Denver Nuggets to a thrilling victory over the Los Angeles Lakers
Over the course of 38 minutes, Joki contributed 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists, one block, and three steals. With 48 seconds remaining and the Nuggets trailing by three, Joki made a crucial and-one play to tie the score at 126-126. His performance was crucial in the game’s final moments.
The Nuggets’ Jamal Murray also played a significant role. He scored 26 points, including a crucial three-pointer with 6.2 seconds left that gave Denver the victory. The Lakers showed resilience despite losing key players like LeBron James and Luka Doni, with Austin Reaves scoring a season-high 37 points and Dalton Knecht scoring 32 points.
Austin Reaves has emerged as a game-changer for the Lakers
Austin Reaves has emerged as a game-changer for the Lakers, stepping up in the absence of star players and proving himself as a crucial offensive force. This season has been a true breakout for him, as he has embraced greater responsibility and delivered consistently impressive performances. His dynamic playmaking and scoring ability have solidified him as one of the team’s most reliable supporting options, making him an indispensable asset in their quest for success.
Fan Reactions:
Lakers fans had mixed emotions after the narrow loss—proud of the team’s resilience but frustrated by the ongoing losing streak.
Discussions on the r/lakers subreddit highlighted how well the team fought despite missing key players. However, some fans voiced concerns over the fourth consecutive loss, stressing the need for strategic adjustments moving forward.
Bronny James, the son of NBA icon LeBron James, took the court in Denver on Friday night as his team faced off against the Nuggets. The rookie guard, who is currently averaging 1.6 points per game, saw 16 minutes of playing time, contributing to his team’s efforts in a hard-fought battle. Despite their competitive performance, his squad ultimately fell short, suffering a 131-126 loss to the reigning NBA champions.
Bronny James had the perfect clapback for a heckling fan, shutting him down with just three words: “Your chain fake.”
Surprisingly, the fan seemed to take it in good spirits, later posting a selfie during the game—ironically showing off the very chain in question.
The battle for second place in the West is heating up, with the Nuggets, Rockets, and Grizzlies all tied at 43-25. Meanwhile, the Lakers have slipped to fifth with a 40-25 record after their recent struggles. With LeBron sidelined for at least another week, their chances of securing home-court advantage in the first round could be in jeopardy.
On Sunday, the Lakers play Phoenix. The Nuggets host Washington on Saturday night, their fifth game in seven days.
Lakers vs. Nuggets total stats:
