Injury-Plagued Lakers Lose Nail-Biter to Nuggets, Extend Losing Streak

A depleted Lakers roster nearly upset the Nuggets but fell short in a 131-126 loss, marking their fourth consecutive defeat on a grueling road trip.

• The Lakers played without eight key players, including LeBron James and Luka Doncic, due to injuries and rest, leaving them severely short-handed against the Nuggets.
• Austin Reaves delivered a standout performance with 37 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds, while rookie Dalton Knecht added 32 points despite sustaining a hard fall late in the game.
• Jamal Murray's late three-pointer and Russell Westbrook's steal and dunk sealed the win for Denver in the final seconds of the tight contest.
• The Lakers' defense, which had been a strength in recent weeks, struggled without LeBron James, contributing to their ongoing four-game losing streak.
• The team faces a challenging schedule ahead, with six games in eight days and uncertainty surrounding the return of key players like James and Doncic.

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