The Lakers faced the Denver Nuggets with a three-game losing streak, hampered by injuries to key players including LeBron James. Despite enjoying an eight-game winning streak just a week prior, the team could not maintain that momentum. Coach JJ Redick referenced a familiar Jay-Z lyric to emphasize the team's wobbly state. In the game, Austin Reaves stood out with 37 points, closely followed by Dalton Knecht with 32. The Lakers fought hard but ultimately fell short, showcasing their struggle with injuries and exhaustion as the Nuggets capitalized on their chances.
Even if the personnel didn't mirror the Lakers from a week ago, at least the energy did Friday, the team pushing the Denver Nuggets over four quarters before making one too many mistakes in a 131-126 loss.
Austin Reaves, who capped his rookie season with a 31-point triple-double in Denver, nearly led the Lakers to the upset, scoring 37 along with 13 assists and eight rebounds.
But all five starters finished in double figures for Denver, the Lakers running out of time as much as they ran out of steam.
The Lakers had a chance to force overtime, but they couldn't get the inbound pass to Reaves, with Russell Westbrook getting the steal and dunking in the final seconds.
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