Lakers drop their 6th straight in loss to the Nuggets.
With four games remaining in the regular season, the Lakers’ chances of making the playoffs have become even slimmer, losing their sixth straight game in tonight’s 129–118 loss to the Nuggets without LeBron James, dropping their season record to 31–47 and keeping them in the 11th seed in the Western Conference.
Frank Vogel spoke on the Lakers’ team effort and mindset going into the final four games left in the season.
“It sucks telling these guys every game, ‘Good effort, I’m proud of you. We lost.’” Vogel added, “Can’t worry about the math, worry about the next game, and hopefully get a win against Phoenix.”
Denver’s MVP candidate Nikola Jokić was the focal point in tonight’s Lakers defeat, scoring a game-high 38 points on 68% (15-for-22) shooting overall, with 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and a couple of blocks in 32 minutes played.
Being without LeBron James, the Lakers had to rely on a not so healthy Anthony Davis, showing signs of discomfort but flashes of brilliance throughout tonight’s game, still being able to finish with a team-high 28 points on 44% (11-for-25) shooting from the floor, adding 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 blocks in 34 minutes of action.
“The most frustrating part of this season has been what we could’ve been,” Davis added. “What could we have been if I was healthy all year, LeBron, Kendrick Nunn? You think about those things. When we put this team together, we looked really good on paper, but we haven’t had a chance to reach that potential with guys being in and out of the lineup.”
Russell Westbrook finished right behind Davis with a solid outing of 27 points on 11-of-15 (73%) shooting overall, adding 10 rebounds and 7 assists in 33 minutes.
“As long as you leave it on the floor, whatever the results are, you can live with it,” Westbrook said.
Carmelo Anthony was the Lakers’ sole bright spot off the bench, hitting a number of mid-and long-range shots to keep the team in the game, collecting 17 points for the third-highest on the team.
The Lakers will travel to play the Suns on Tuesday for their last stop in Phoenix this season, who sit at the top of the West with a 62–15 record. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be televised on Spectrum SportsNet and NBA TV.