Lakers Fall to Nuggets Despite Heroic Effort From Shorthanded Squad

Coach JJ Redick praises team’s resilience as injuries continue to plague the roster during a tough stretch in the season.

The Lakers, missing several key players including LeBron James and Luka Doncic, narrowly lost to the Denver Nuggets 131-126 after leading late in the game.
Austin Reaves led the team with a near triple-double performance, scoring 37 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds, while rookie Dalton Knecht added 32 points despite a scary fall in the fourth quarter.
Coach JJ Redick expressed pride in the team’s fight and resilience but acknowledged a critical coaching lapse in the final moments that contributed to the loss.
LeBron James and other injured starters are reportedly close to returning, though James is expected to be out for at least another week as the Lakers prepare for a challenging five-game homestand.
The loss marks the Lakers’ fourth consecutive defeat, dropping them to fifth place in the Western Conference with one of the league’s toughest remaining schedules.