After quiet trade deadline, Lakers drop home game to Nuggets
Down by 15 in the second half, the Lakers rally to tie the score on Austin Reaves’ 3-pointer with 2:18 left, but Jamal Murray answers back with five quick points and Denver prevails, 114-106
Lakers star Anthony Davis goes up for a shot as the Denver Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon, left, Justin Holiday (9) and Reggie Jackson, right, defend during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, gets under the Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun as he looks to shoot during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James shoots as the Denver Nuggets’ Peyton Watson, left, defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis holds the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. takes a shot over Lakers guard Max Christie during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Taurean Prince, left, and center Jaxson Hayes (11) block a shot by Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis, left, and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon vie for the ball during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, looks to shoot as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, is fouled as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) defends on the play during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves shoots as Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers star Anthony Davis, right, looks to dunk the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon takes a shot as Lakers star Anthony Davis defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James handles the ball during the first half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers guard Max Christie, left, shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. shoots in front of Lakers guard Max Christie during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Christian Wood passes the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers star LeBron James holds the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Musicians Flea, left, and Lars Ulrich attend a game between the Lakers and the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves, top right, looks to pass as the Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun, left, Reggie Jackson (7) and DeAndre Jordan (6) defend during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Taurean Prince gets to the basket for a layup in front of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and teammate Anthony Davis during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers forward Taurean Prince gets to the basket for a layup during the first half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun falls into some fans sitting courtside while pursuing a loose ball during the first half of their game against the Lakers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, dunks as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers star Anthony Davis shoots over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Actor/comedian Adam Sandler watches the Lakers take on the Denver Nuggets from a courtside seat on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James brings the ball up the court as Denver Nuggets forward Justin Holiday watches during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis goes up for a shot as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, left, and forward Justin Holiday defend during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers forward Christian Wood goes up for a shot during the first half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray takes a shot as Lakers star LeBron James defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers star Anthony Davis handles the. ball during the first half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers star LeBron James handles the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers star Anthony Davis goes up for a shot as the Denver Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon, left, Justin Holiday (9) and Reggie Jackson, right, defend during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, gets to the basket as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends during the first half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes dunks during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray handles the ball as Lakers guard Austin Reaves defends during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) dunks in front of Lakers forward Rui Hachimura during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
The Lakers’ Skyler Mays, center, and the Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, bottom left, pursue a loose ball as LeBron James looks on from above during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, blocks a shot by Lakers star Anthony Davis during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic handles the ball as Lakers forward Christian Wood defends during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) goes to the basket in front of Lakers forwards Christian Wood (35) and Anthony Davis (3) during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers star Anthony Davis scores during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic takes a shot as Lakers forward Rui Hachimura defends during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James gestures during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James gestures during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forwards Christian Wood, left, and Anthony Davis (3) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic wait for a rebound during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves takes a shot during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, back, defends against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, as forward Rui Hachimura and guard Austin Reaves, right, watch during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers star LeBron James runs into Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James gets to the basket for a layup during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray controls a rebound next to Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, right, saves the ball from going out of bounds by passing to Anthony Davis (3) as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic shoots as Lakers forward Rui Hachimura defends during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers forward Taurean Prince, top, fouls Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray drives to the basket as Lakers forward LeBron James, left, defends during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers star Anthony Davis takes a close-range shot during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon dunks as Lakers star LeBron James, right, can only look on during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, shoots as Lakers forward LeBron James defends during the second half on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James looks up during the second half of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers players warm up wearing Kobe Bryant shirts before their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James warms up in a Kobe Bryant T-shirt before their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura warms up in a Kobe Bryant T-shirt before their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
A video tribute for Kobe Bryant is shown on the scoreboard video screen before a game between the Lakers and the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers players wear shirts in honor of Kobe Bryant as they listen to the national anthem before their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James focuses before their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Lakers star Anthony Davis focuses before their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
LOS ANGELES — The noise and rumors – at least temporarily – are behind them. For better or worse, the Lakers’ roster, outside of a possible addition via the buyout market, is set for the duration of the 2023-24 season.
No more questions or discussions about what trades the team could make. The only question that matters is: can the Lakers compete with the best teams in the Western Conference?
Even in a 114-106 home loss to the defending champion Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, with significant parts of their roster sidelined, they provided optimism that they could.
“I’m extremely proud under the circumstances,” Coach Darvin Ham said. “Coming off this long trip, facing an opponent like that, the way our guys competed, the way they gave multiple efforts. I can go down a long list of plays that our guys made that were just ultra-competitive. As long as we keep doing that, good things will happen for us.”
The Lakers (27-26), who were led by Anthony Davis (32 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, three steals) and LeBron James (25 points, nine rebounds, seven assists) stuck with the Nuggets (36-16) for 46 minutes.
They tied the score at 100 with 3:44 left and again at 104-all with just over two minutes remaining after a Jaxson Hayes chase-down block against Peyton Watson led to an Austin Reaves 3-pointer in transition on the other end.
But when it mattered most, the Nuggets showed why they’re at the top of the West – and a level of play the Lakers are still aspiring to consistently reach.
“For the most part, I think we were solid defensively,” Davis said. “But the fourth quarter, especially late fourth quarter, we just got to be better on the defensive end.”
Jamal Murray (29 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds) made a 3-pointer to put the Nuggets up 107-104 with just under two minutes remaining. After an empty possession from the Lakers, Murray hit an 11-foot floater in transition to give Denver a five-point lead.
The Nuggets once again capitalized off an empty Lakers possession after Reaves missed a 3-point attempt, with Nikola Jokic (24 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists) assisting Michael Porter Jr. (27 points, eight rebounds) on a corner 3-pointer to put the Nuggets up 112-104 – essentially sealing the victory with 1:05 left.
Porter had a dunk in transition 15 seconds later to end any hopes of a Lakers’ comeback, showing how much of a buzzsaw the Nuggets can be late in games, in a way that was reminiscent of last spring’s conference finals.
“Missed shots and then breakdowns,” Davis said. “We had a breakdown on Jokic and kicks it to the corner for a corner three. Austin gambles, tried to get a steal, another three, Michael Porter’s. So, another breakdown and Peyton Watson gets a back-cut dunk. Bron has the rebound, it slips out of his hands. So, it’s just little breakdowns that we had. We couldn’t score on the offensive end.”
Reaves had 15 points and 10 assists and Hayes had nine points, six rebounds and two blocks in 17 minutes as the Lakers saw their three-game winning streak – their longest since the In-Season Tournament ended – come to an end in their first game back from an encouraging six-game road trip.
“Definitely very frustrating,” Hayes said. “A close loss like that, you make a good push there at the end, it’s always frustrating. … All of us know what time of year it is, and all of us know we need to lock in and get some more wins. I feel like there’s a sense of urgency from all of us.”
Ham gave credit to the reigning champs.
“They’re a well-oiled machine,” Ham said of the Nuggets. “Twenty-one second-chance points. It’s one of those nights where you know when you’re playing against a team like this, you have to be hitting on all cylinders.”
Just hours after their inactivity at the deadline, the Lakers ran drastically short on guards. D’Angelo Russell sat out with left knee soreness and Max Christie started in his place and scored seven points before spraining his right ankle shortly before halftime.
“This is our team, what we’re going to have, and once we get guys healthy, we can kind of get back into our groove,” Davis said.
Russell’s improved play in recent weeks was a primary factor in the Lakers’ decision not to move his tradeable contract at the deadline. But the starting point guard couldn’t play after undergoing an unspecified procedure on his sore left knee Wednesday.
“Once you get on the floor you have to lock in on the assignment. That’s all that matters.” LeBron James speaks on being ready after the long road trip and the mindset after the trade deadline. pic.twitter.com/wHGND6xMGD
