LeBron James, Lakers Routed by Nuggets as Anthony Davis Exits with Injury
The Denver Nuggets were no match for the Los Angeles Lakers in last season's Western Conference Finals, but they were Sunday.
After losing to the defending champions earlier this month, the Nuggets turned in an impressive bounce-back effort with a 122-105 win in the latest showdown at Ball Arena. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the way for the victors, who improved to 15-11 with their third consecutive win.
An impressive showing from LeBron James wasn't enough for the 21-7 Lakers, who saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end.
More concerning than the result was that Anthony Davis left early with an Achilles injury.
Notable Player Stats
- Nikola Jokic, C, DEN: 23 PTS, 16 REB, 10 AST
- Jamal Murray, G, DEN: 25 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST
- Zeke Nnaji, F, DEN: 16 PTS, 3 REB, 4-of-5 3PT
- LeBron James, F, LAL: 22 PTS, 10 REB, 9 AST
- Kyle Kuzma, F, LAL: 19 PTS, 8 REB
- Anthony Davis, F, LAL: 15 PTS, 4 REB
Anthony Davis' Status Overshadows Loss for Lakers
Davis was cruising in the first half of Sunday's game with 15 points and a number of impressive plays in a frontcourt battle with Jokic.
It was a much better performance than the last time these two teams matched up when he managed just 13 points while James took over with a triple-double. And then it all stopped when he attacked the basket in the second quarter and grimaced while reaching down toward his Achilles.
He limped off the floor and never returned.
The Lakers called it a right Achilles strain and noted Davis will undergo an MRI on Monday.
In terms of the actual game, that put even more pressure on LeBron. That wasn't a problem last time the Lakers met the Nuggets when he posted that triple-double, which was business as usual for the King. He entered play averaging nearly a triple-double in February with 27.0 points, 9.5 assists, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.
The 36-year-old is in the middle of the MVP race and was again a force at just a single assist away from a triple-double, but he didn't have enough help to keep pace with a dominant performance from the Nuggets.
Denver's Offense Puts on a Show
The only way the Nuggets are going to make a run at a championship is by figuring out a way past the Lakers, and the version of their offense on display Sunday would be the ideal formula to do just that.
Putting up 122 points against any defense is noteworthy, and Denver did so against the unit that is ranked No. 1 in the league on that end of the floor, per NBA.com. Not having Davis down low to protect the rim in the second half surely made a difference, but the home team put up 73 points in the first half and didn't seem bothered by his presence before the injury.
It was more of the same for Jokic, who posted a double-double in his team's previous two wins before tallying a triple-double in Sunday's effort.
He was unbelievable from the start with touch around the rim, a smooth stroke from outside the paint, his typical array of stunning passes and a willingness to battle on the boards on both ends of the floor.
Jokic then started drawing additional defensive attention following his hot start, which created driving lanes for Murray and open looks from downtown for everyone around him. Murray, Zeke Nnaji and Facundo Campazzo combined for 11 three-pointers in a head-turning shooting display.
About the only downside for the Nuggets was that Paul Millsap was ruled out for the second half with a left knee sprain, but even he played well before exiting with multiple three-pointers.
If Jokic is dialed in and stuffing the stat sheet, Murray is firing from deep and driving the lane with aggression, and the supporting cast is connecting on open shots while playing alongside the two go-to options, Denver will be difficult to beat.
Even for the Lakers.
What's Next?
Both teams are on the road Tuesday when the Lakers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Nuggets face the Boston Celtics.
