Lakers Clash With Nuggets In Western Conference Showdown
The Los Angeles Lakers (37-24) head to Denver to take on the Nuggets (38-24) in a clash between two of the top teams in the Western Conference.
The West is incredibly tight between the No. 3 and No. 6 seeds, with only 1.5 games separating them. The Lakers would move ahead of the Nuggets tonight with a win.
That makes this game pivotal, and let’s break down what LA needs to do to get their fourth straight win.
TIME TO SEE WHAT WE’RE MADE OF IN DENVER 😈🍿
After 3 straight wins against lower tier teams, we’ll find out what this team is really made of against one of the top threats in the West 👀 pic.twitter.com/vGIs82Nrgd
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) March 5, 2026
Luka Magic
As it does every game for the purple and gold, it starts with Luka Doncic. Over the past few years, the Lakers have struggled against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, including two playoff series losses.
However, since Doncic joined the Lakers, they have won all three games against Denver. In those three games, the superstar guard is averaging 33.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and eight assists. Doncic is shooting 50 percent from the field, 40.7 percent from three, and 86.7 percent from the free-throw line.
He has been dominant, and LA will need him to do the same tonight to pick up the victory.
Shutting Down Role Players
The Nuggets have one of the best duos in the NBA with Jokic and Jamal Murray. That duo seems to get even better whenever they take on the Lakeshow.
On the season, Jokic is averaging 28.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 10.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 57 percent from the floor and 40.1 percent from behind the arc.
Murray is also having a great season, averaging 25.7 points along with 4.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and a steal per game. He is shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from downtown.
The Lakers should send different looks at Murray and Jokic, but it’s crucial not to let a role player get going. Denver is already without Aaron Gordon and potentially Cam Johnson, giving LA an advantage, as they’re healthier heading into this matchup.
The Lakers have picked up three wins in a row against some of the worst teams in the NBA, but picking up a win over the Nuggets could give them a ton of momentum to close out the season strong.
