DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 20: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers directs his team against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter during game one of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 20, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Lakers' Ham: 'S--t, It's Tough'; Champion Nuggets Aren't 'Going to Beat' Themselves

Timothy RappApr 21, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of their Western Conference Playoffs matchup with the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, 114-103, the team's ninth straight loss in the rivalry.

After the game, head coach Darvin Ham offered a blunt assessment of the challenge the Lakers are facing.

"S--t, it's tough," he told reporters. "A championship team isn't going to beat itself."

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"Everybody's going to lose their mind over one game, and give them their credit, they held serve at home," he added . "They're a tough home team, tough to beat in general, but they're really good at home. ... (But) we did a lot of good things out there tonight."

The Lakers desperately need a win in this series, however, if only to get the proverbial monkey off their back against the Nuggets. Nine straight losses, including a sweep against Denver in last year's Western Conference Finals, can create a daunting aura around a team.

LeBron James, at least, is trying to ignore the past and focus on one game at a time.

"I don't ever get into the 'here we go again' mindset," he told reporters. "One game, they protected their home court. We have another opportunity on Monday to come back and be better."