Lakers snap a 7 game win streak with loss on the road to the Nuggets.
The Lakers NBA's best 7 game win streak came to an end on Sunday night with a 122–105 loss to the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers gave multiple season highs in tonight’s loss, giving up 73 points in the first half and allowing the Nuggets to finish with 19 total threes. With tonight’s loss, the Lakers record moves to 21–7 on the season and still remain in 2nd place in the NBA and Western Conference behind the 22–5 Utah Jazz.
The most important thing that every Lakers fan was worried about the health of Anthony Davis. Anthony Davis left late in the 2nd quarter after straining his right Achilles on a jab step move on Jokic. This is the same right leg that has been bothering Anthony Davis as of late this season. Davis missed two games before the last game due to the soreness of his right leg. Luckily, Davis was able to walk back to the locker room on his own strength which is a sign of hope not being serious. Anthony Davis will get an MRI tomorrow to find out the results of his injury.
Head coach Frank Vogel spoke with the media after tonight’s loss about Anthony Davis’ injury saying:
“Spirits were good, he just aggravated what he had last week. He’ll have an MRI tomorrow and we’ll know more then.”
The Denver Nuggets had 6 players finish in double figures. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined for 48 points tonight. Nikola Jokic had a triple-double in 3 quarters to finish with 23 points, 10 assists, and 16 rebounds.
The Lakers struggles continue from the 3 point arc, finishing under 30% for the 4th straight game. The Lakers ended on the night shooting 6–28 from three (21%).
LeBron James was 1 assist away from a triple-double tonight. James finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists in 30 minutes of tonight’s defeat. James struggled from the field tonight, going 9–18 (50%) total and 0–5 from the perimeter (0%).
LeBron James spoke with the media after the game about the health of Anthony Davis saying:
“All I care about is his health. I want him to be healthy, our team needs him to be healthy.”
Some of the few bright spots for the Lakers tonight came from the bench. Kyle Kuzma continues to consistently bring the energy for this Lakers team night in and night out.
In 26 minutes Kyle Kuzma finished with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Kuzma shot 8 for 12 (67%) total from the field on the night and with Anthony Davis looking to miss some time with his Achilles injury, look for Kuzma to take over in the starting lineup for Davis.
The Lakers will now travel to Minnesota on Tuesday to face the 7–20 Timberwolves. The Timberwolves statistically have the worst record in the NBA. The Timberwolves are coming off a win versus a good Toronto Raptors team and will look to take down this Lakers team.