With Luka Dončić, Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-Smith all missing Friday’s matchup against the Nuggets, it certainly looked like a scheduled loss was on the calendar for the Lakers.
They were already missing LeBron James, Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura who were sent back to LA to rehab their injuries. So, the Lakers weren’t just undermanned, they were without six of their rotation players.
Despite these extenuating circumstances, the game was a competitive contest.
The Lakers pushed the Nuggets to the brink, and it took a game-winner by Jamal Murray in the closing seconds to seal LA’s fate.
The defeat was a disappointment, given how hard they fought.
However, considering that the Nuggets are one of the best teams in the Western Conference and that the Lakers had them on their heels at home with essentially their bench, it was the closest thing to a good loss that you can have in the NBA.
“I’m proud of the group for their level of fight and resiliency, particularly not getting off to a great start in the second half…and then fighting back and taking the lead,” head coach JJ Redick said postgame. “There’s a lot we could have done better. But the group competed tonight and gave ourselves a chance to win.”
Redick has said before that playing hard is the cheat code to winning in the NBA, and this game is a great example. The Lakers never gave up even when the Nuggets went on runs, and that’s why, in the closing seconds, on the road, they were in the game with a chance to win.
Austin Reaves is a big reason LA was in that position. He led the charge, scoring 37 points. Dalton Knecht also stepped up; he got the start and contributed 32 points, while Shake Milton came off the bench and went 7-11 from the field, dropping 16 points as a reserve.
It’s clear that while the result may have been what Los Angeles fans have seen far too often against Denver over the past two-plus years, these Lakers are different.
They don’t fear the Nuggets, and they crushed them back in February when they were relatively healthy. This loss, if anything, will give them more confidence that they can beat them again when it matters.
We won’t have to wait long for a rematch as these two teams face each other again on Wednesday.
Hopefully, the Lakers will be closer to full health by then. While valiant efforts are appreciated, this is a results-based league, and having lost four straight games, the Lakers are slipping in the West.
Moral victories mean nothing at this point in the season, but damn was that a valiant effort with so many guys out. Gutted they couldn't pull that one out https://t.co/O2HgYUoCTj
— Jacob Rude (@JacobRude) March 15, 2025
For now, it’s all about getting healthier and for the players to continuing buying into what Redick is giving them. Even in defeat, you saw a good gameplan being executed and the Lakers looked like a top team. If they bring this type of focus the rest of the way, the wins and success will come.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at@ECreates88or on Bluesky at@ecreates88.bsky.social.