The Los Angeles Lakers’ ongoing struggle against the Denver Nuggets persists, with LeBron James and his team suffering their fifth consecutive playoff defeat against Nikola Jokic and company at Ball Arena. Despite a dominant performance in the first half, the Lakers faltered in the second half, ultimately losing the game 103-114. Despite the team’s losing streak, former Golden State Warriors star Gilbert Arenas remains optimistic about the Lakers’ chances.
Following the disappointing loss, Arenas expressed his confidence in the Purple and Gold side on his X handle, predicting that they would win the series in seven games. He accompanied his prediction with the iconic Lakers slogan, “We believe.” However, before they can achieve that, the Lakers face the significant challenge of winning a single game against the Nuggets. In their nine previous matchups, the Mile High City team has emerged victorious in every encounter against the legendary Lakers side.
Game 1 of the first-round series between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers ended just like the last eight meetings between these sides, with a Nuggets victory. The Lakers suffered a 114-103 loss on Saturday night to go down 1-0 in the series and their fans were not happy.
One wanted D’Angelo Russell to be shipped to China.
There’s no shortage of accountability to be spread around in this scenario, but two individuals who shouldn’t shoulder any blame are LeBron James and Anthony Davis. LeBron wrapped up the evening with an impressive stat line of 27 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. He particularly shined in the first half, contributing 19 points and playing a pivotal role in the Lakers’ lead, which extended to as much as 12 points at one point.
As for Davis, he stood out as the standout player for LA. The 31-year-old delivered 32 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks while shooting 12-23 from the field. Davis showcased his prowess on both ends of the court, yet despite his efforts, the remainder of the team failed to step up.
D’Angelo Russell, who struggled in the previous series between these teams last year, continued his poor form in Game 1. Russell’s shooting woes persisted as he went 6-20 from the field, concluding the night with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
Meanwhile, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura combined for just 13 shot attempts, resulting in a total of 20 points between them. The Lakers are unlikely to secure many victories when their crucial role players perform below par.
On the other hand, the Nuggets benefitted from another stellar performance by Nikola Jokic. Jokic delivered an impressive stat line of 32 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. His teammate, Jamal Murray, struggled with his shooting, going 6-24 from the field, but still managed to contribute 22 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 block.
Jokic and Murray received ample support from their teammates, with Aaron Gordon tallying 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Michael Porter Jr. adding 19 points. The Nuggets showcased a collective effort, and they will now aim to extend their winning streak to 10 games against the Lakers in Game 2 on Monday.