The circumstance for Nikola Jokic to the finest Nugget at any time acquired even stronger Friday in spite of a aggravating loss.
If it wasn’t definitive presently, Jokic climbed atop the franchise’s career record for occupation rebounds with his sixth rebound of the 126-108 loss to the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Just after Lonnie Walker IV skipped a 3-pointer early in the 3rd, Jokic cleaned up on the defensive glass and passed Dan Issel’s 5,707 vocation boards for the franchise document.
Just after ending with 11 rebounds, Jokic wasted minor time making some space involving him and the industry.
The 27-calendar year-outdated by now owns the franchise’s only NBA Most Important Participant awards and the team history for triple-doubles. He’s much less than 200 helps absent from passing Alex English for that franchise report, while Jokic continue to has a way to go prior to catching the Corridor of Famer for the most points in Nuggets heritage.
Bench still currently being sorted out
The rash of diseases and insignificant injuries to get started the time noticed a whole lot of different combinations employed in the 2nd unit, but the Nuggets seemed to like what they experienced with Jamal Murray staggering alongside a 4-guy bench unit featuring Bones Hyland, Christian Braun, Jeff Inexperienced and DeAndre Jordan. Braun was once again the initial male off the Nuggets’ bench in the middle of the initial quarter, but issues did not commence effectively for the second unit, and Davon Reed replaced the rookie to start the 2nd quarter.
Reed was the very first player off the bench in the second 50 {194d821e0dc8d10be69d2d4a52551aeafc2dee4011c6c9faa8f16ae7103581f6}, though Braun did not perform right after the very first quarter until eventually Malone emptied his bench with the Lakers up in the ultimate minutes.
Malone also went absent from DeAndre Jordan in the next half, rather playing Green and Aaron Gordon in a modest-ball lineup for the meaningful minutes.
The Lakers completed with a 58-23 edge in bench scoring led by Thomas Bryant’s 21-issue night time. Austin Reaves (16) and Russell Westbrook (15) merged for 31 much more details of Darvin Ham’s bench, while Green’s 8 details topped the Nuggets reserves. Bones Hyland was a minus-24 in just below 15 minutes of playing time, finishing with 5 details on nine shots with two rebounds and two assists.
Murray exits late
As if issues weren’t undesirable ample, Jamal Murray appeared to tweak an ankle in the last minutes. Gordon fully commited a take foul to end the activity with 2:26 still left in the fourth, so Murray and the relaxation of the starters could exit the video game.
When it did not appear really serious as Murray walked off the court docket below his very own energy, it will be intriguing to see how it responds following a flight again to Denver ahead of Sunday’s return to action. Murray played almost 36 minutes, ending with 23 details, 5 rebounds and six helps, which were being offset by his 5 turnovers.
LAKERS 126, NUGGETS 108
What happened: The Nuggets’ 3-video game gain streak came to an finish in worrisome manner Friday in Los Angeles.
The Lakers, which performed with out Anthony Davis in the 2nd 50 {194d821e0dc8d10be69d2d4a52551aeafc2dee4011c6c9faa8f16ae7103581f6}, manufactured the Nuggets look sloppy. Denver concluded with 19 turnovers that led to 28 Lakers points.
The Nuggets turned it above seven moments in the to start with quarter and trailed 33-32 to start off the second. The Lakers stretched the guide to 9 early in the next, but the Nuggets answered with a 20-2 operate to regain the guide. The Lakers answered with a 9- spurt erase the Nuggets’ direct in the remaining minutes of the next quarter prior to Aaron Gordon’s 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left place the Nuggets up 65-64 at halftime.
Soon after placing up 10 factors and 4 rebounds in the initial 50 percent, Davis missed the relaxation of the video game with a proper foot or ankle injuries.
A 9- run early in the third obtained Denver’s lead back up to 10 only for the Lakers to shut the quarter on a 20-5 run, having a 5-place direct to the fourth. A couple of 3s from Max Christie stretched the Lakers guide to double digits in the fourth, and the Lakers cruised the rest of the way.
What went suitable: Jokic established the franchise document for career rebounds and concluded with 25 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and four steals. He did have 5 of Denver’s turnovers, so even the two-time Most Important Player had room for enhancement.
What went incorrect: Further than the turnovers, the Nuggets’ bench acquired outscored 58-23. Westbrook posted a 15-point, 11-rebound, 12-assist triple-double for the Lakers.
The Lakers finished with a 52.7 industry-intention percentage for the game and scored 29 or much more points in all four quarters.
Highlight of the night: After the Lakers closed inside of two late in the 3rd quarter, Jokic spun on Thomas Bryant and strike a move-back jumper whilst drawing a foul. He hit the free of charge toss to entire the remarkable a few-stage engage in. Unfortunately for Denver, the three-position play and Jokic’s record-breaking rebound had been a exceptional bright location for the duration of the Lakers’ solid 3rd quarter.
On deck: The Nuggets start off a 4-match homestand Sunday versus the Hornets.