Lakers spoil ring night for Nuggets with opening night victory
Down the stretch Lakers execution was flawless
Recap of Lakers/Nuggets game played on October 24, 2023
1st Quarter
The Los Angeles Lakers got off to a very hot start, jumping out to a 10-2 lead thanks to Taurean Prince, who scored 8 of the Lakers first 10 points (2-2 3PTs). The Nuggets showed their championship poise and didn't panic, but rather settled down and erased the Lakers early lead. Reggie Jackson's dunk with 3:09 to play in the quarter gave the Nuggets their first lead of the game, 16-15. Nikola Jokic extended that lead to three points, 18-15 with a layup, forcing the Lakers into a timeout. The Lakers responded with a 13-2 run to end the first quarter up by eight, 28-20. First Quarter key stat: Three-point shooting. Lakers (6-13, 46%), Nuggets (0-2, 0%).
2nd Quarter
The Lakers increased their lead to ten with a jumper by Russell to begin the quarter. Two minutes later, Russell knocked down a three-pointer that gave the Lakers a twelve-point lead 37-25. The Nuggets once again responded in championship form, going on a 12-2 run and cutting the Lakers lead to a single basket, 39-37, but didn't get any closer as the Lakers, for the second straight quarter, finished on an amazing run, this time a 16-7 run, including their biggest lead of the game, thirteen points, 55-42. First Half key stat: Three-point shooting. Lakers (11-25, 44%), Nuggets (4-13, 31%). Points in the paint (Lakers 14, Nuggets 24)
3rd Quarter
Austin Reaves began the second half knocking down a three-pointer and giving the Lakers what would be their biggest lead of the game, fourteen points, 58-44. A three-pointer by LeBron James put the Lakers back up by twelve, 65-53 with 8:45 to go in the quarter. Over the next three minutes the Nuggets went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead down to four points, 65-61. Following a slam dunk by Rui Hachimura, pushing the Lakers lead back to six points, 67-61, the Nuggets again went on a furious run as they scored eight straight points in just under a minute and taking the lead, 69-67. Anthony Davis would finish the quarter off scoring the last four points as the Lakers recaptured the lead heading into the final quarter, 71-69. Third Quarter key stat: Turnovers (Lakers 5, Nuggets 0)
4th Quarter
As the fourth quarter began, these two teams would trade baskets back and forth (2 ties and 8 lead changes) in the first five minutes of quarter.
Nikola Jokic gave the Nuggets the lead 79-78, but the Lakers caught fire from the perimeter, scoring on three-pointer after three-pointer, asserting themselves with eleven straight points and taking a double-digit lead, 89-79 with 4:48 remaining. The Nuggets got to within five points, 89-84, but D'Angelo Russell, was just lights out from the three-point line as he knocked down three more in the final four minutes of the game, ensuring the Lakers a victory on opening night, 104-97. Fourth Quarter key stat: Three-point shooting. Lakers (7-11, 64%), Nuggets (2-8, 25%)
 |
@ |
 |
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
| LAL |
28 |
27 |
16 |
33 |
104 |
| DEN |
20 |
24 |
25 |
28 |
97 |
Los Angeles Lakers Player Stats
D'Angelo Russell - 26 points (9-15 FGs, 6-11 3FGs), 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals
LeBron James - 21 points (4-8 3FGs), 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Anthony Davis - 15 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 5 blocks
Austin Reaves - 11 points (3-5 3FGs), 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Taurean Prince - 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Denver Nuggets Player Stats
Nikola Jokic - 37 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Aaron Gordon - 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Jamal Murray - 12 points, 8 assists, 2 steals
Michael Porter Jr. - 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Reggie Jackson - 10 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal
Upcoming Schedule
10/26/23: vs. Phoenix Suns
10/29/23: @ Sacramento Kings
10/30/23: vs. Orlando Magic
11/1/23: vs. LA Clippers
11/4/23: @ Orlando Magic
11/6/23: @ Miami Heat
James with the block denying the Nuggets two points on the fast break
Davis on the receiving end of an ally-oop in the first quarter
Davis gets the high arching layup over the out stretched fingers of Nikola Jokic during the 4th quarter
