Nuggets and Lakers Clash Without Jokic, Murray, and LeBron in Key Playoff Race

Denver's stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, along with Los Angeles' LeBron James, were ruled out for the pivotal Western Conference matchup on March 19, 2025, as Luka Doncic returned to lead the Lakers.

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray missed their second consecutive game for the Nuggets due to injuries, with Jokic nursing elbow and ankle issues and Murray sidelined by an ankle sprain.
LeBron James was absent for the sixth straight game for the Lakers due to a groin strain, while Rui Hachimura also remained out for his eleventh consecutive game with a knee injury.
Luka Doncic returned to the Lakers' lineup despite dealing with a right ankle sprain, aiming to lead the team in a critical seeding battle in the Western Conference standings.
The Nuggets hold a narrow one-game lead over the Lakers in the standings, with both teams vying for a higher playoff seed in a tightly contested race.
Denver's decision to sit Jokic and Murray has drawn scrutiny, but coach Michael Malone emphasized the players' injuries rather than strategic rest as the reason for their absence.