The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a 0-2 hole against the formidable Denver Nuggets after dropping Game 2 at home. While the loss stings, there were glimpses of hope, with Anthony Davis putting up a gritty performance, LeBron James showcasing his dominance in stretches, and D’Angelo Russell bouncing back with a seven-three-pointer outing.
However, the Lakers’ offense stuttered in the second half, and one player who shouldered responsibility for the underwhelming display was Austin Reaves.
In a high-stakes matchup with playoff seeding implications, the Denver Nuggets firmly established their dominance, securing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with a commanding 126-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. This win not only tied the franchise record for most wins in a season but also propelled head coach Michael Malone to the second-winningest coach in Nuggets history.
The game’s narrative was shaped by the electrifying performances of several Nuggets players, with Jamal Murray leading the charge with 21 points, while Nikola Jokic delivered yet another double-double masterclass, tallying 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty that has plagued the Memphis Grizzlies’ roster this season, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of Lamar Stevens’ return from injury. The 25-year-old forward, who had been sidelined for six games due to an adductor injury, took the court against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night and delivered a standout performance, leading his team with 19 points in a losing effort.
Stevens’ stat line was impressive: 6-of-10 shooting from the field, a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line, and a well-rounded contribution of three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
The Denver Nuggets are riding high, sitting just half a game behind the top seed in the Western Conference standings. Their quest to secure the number one spot takes them to Portland for a clash with the Trail Blazers, a team they’ve already bested three times this season. However, this potential season sweep could be overshadowed by injuries plaguing both sides.
For the Nuggets, the dynamic duo of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray are listed as questionable due to nagging injuries.
As the NBA regular season enters its final stretch, an electrifying MVP race has taken center stage. While Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have etched their names in MVP lore, a new contender has emerged – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s dynamic guard has stolen the spotlight, leaving the reigning champions and former winners playing catch-up.
Jokic, the two-time reigning MVP, has led the Denver Nuggets on a torrid run since the All-Star break, winning 10 out of 11 games.
The Denver Nuggets are looking to wrap up their four-game homestand on a high note as they host the Toronto Raptors on Monday night. With a win, the Nuggets can move one step closer to clinching the top seed in the Western Conference, currently sitting just one game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.
For the Nuggets, the injury report is relatively light, with only Vlatko Čančar (left knee surgery), Braxton Key (G League two-way assignment), Jalen Pickett (G League assignment), and Hunter Tyson (G League assignment) listed as out.
The Denver Nuggets pulled off a remarkable comeback victory against the depleted Toronto Raptors, rallying from a 21-point deficit in the third quarter to secure a 125-119 triumph on Monday night.
It was a night of resilience and determination for the Nuggets, who refused to let the Raptors’ early dominance deter them. Led by the unstoppable force that is Nikola Jokic, Denver staged a furious rally in the final minutes of the third quarter, cutting the deficit to just five points heading into the fourth.
