Underdog Lakers Close to Beating Nuggets with Key Starters Out

DENVER — Luka Doncic was absent during the Los Angeles Lakers’ narrow 131-126 defeat by the Denver Nuggets on Friday evening. He watched from the sidelines, encouraging his determined but depleted teammates who nearly managed to pull off an upset without four of their starters.

Having poured in 45 points the previous night against Milwaukee, Doncic found himself added to the Lakers’ extensive list of sidelined players. He sat out this clash to address concerns over his left calf and a sprained right ankle, being part of the team’s back-to-back game management strategy.

“There’s really not much control over these circumstances with so many players nursing injuries and the tight schedule,” mentioned head coach JJ Redick shortly before the game began. “We’re just focusing on trying to secure a win tonight.”

And win they almost did. Recovering remarkably from a significant deficit during the third quarter, they even edged ahead 126-123 with just under a minute remaining on the clock. This charge was led by Austin Reaves, who posted 37 points, and Dalton Knecht, who contributed 32 points.

“I’m incredibly proud of the team for demonstrating such fight and resilience, particularly after a rocky start in the second half,” Redick shared following the fourth consecutive loss for the Lakers.

Nikola Jokic made a crucial three-point play to equalize, Jamal Murray sunk a pivotal 3-pointer with 5.6 seconds on the clock to give Denver the lead, and Russell Westbrook intercepted the inbounds pass for a decisive dunk.

LeBron James was absent for his third game in a row, dealing with a left groin strain. He, along with Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy) and Jaxson Hayes (bruised right knee), returned to Los Angeles in preparation for the Lakers’ matchup in Denver. Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent also sat out for left ankle rehabilitation.

Bronny James, LeBron’s son, made his mark scoring five points in 16 minutes after his return from the G League.

According to Redick, James, Hachimura, and Hayes are all listed as day-to-day choices but will potentially return when the team regroups in California for a five-game stay starting Sunday against the Phoenix Suns.

The Nuggets, amid their formidable schedule, acknowledged underappreciating the challenge posed by the Lakers’ understudies.

“This isn’t about aesthetics, we aren’t judged by how pretty our wins are,” Coach Michael Malone of the Nuggets reflected. “But it sure is a valuable win for us. Coming back from three down with 52 seconds shows some truly clutch execution and timely shots. Though, credit where it’s due, they played with tremendous heart and made it a worthwhile contest.”