Lakers’ Slow Start Too Much To Overcome in Loss to Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers fought back from an early hole but ultimately fell 120–113 to the Denver Nuggets on the road in a game defined by momentum swings, hot shooting from Denver, and another dominant performance from Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

Rough Start Sets the Tone

Things went wrong almost immediately for the Lakers.

The game opened with Los Angeles fouling Jamal Murray on a three-point attempt, and the Nuggets quickly seized momentum. Murray started the night red hot, knocking down three early triples as Denver surged to an 11–0 lead.

Transition defense looked disorganized, the offense was stagnant, and Austin Reaves struggled to convert early opportunities.

Fortunately for the Lakers, Denver missed several easy shots ,and Jokic committed three turnovers in four possessions, preventing the deficit from growing even larger.

Still, the Lakers ended the first quarter trailing 30–20, with Denver clearly dictating the pace.

LUKA DONCIC LOB TO LEBRON JAMES 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rBp1HDAGOS

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) March 6, 2026

Momentum Swings in a Chaotic Second Quarter

The second quarter opened with a beautifully designed ATO play from head coach JJ Redick, freeing Luke Kennard for a quick three-pointer.

But Murray continued his offensive barrage, combining shot-making with his usual knack for drawing contact.

The Lakers responded with a surge led by LeBron James, who generated eight straight points attacking downhill.

As Stan Van Gundy said during the broadcast, “He is the best downhill player of all time,” and moments like this showed exactly why.

That run sparked a 12–0 Lakers stretch, briefly shifting momentum.

Denver immediately answered with an 8–0 run of their own, highlighting the wild back-and-forth nature of the quarter.

Despite the scoring bursts on both sides, the teams essentially traded punches, and the Lakers entered halftime trailing 64–54.

Even more concerning was the stat sheet.

Los Angeles had already committed eight turnovers against a Nuggets team that typically generates the fewest turnovers in the league. Meanwhile, Denver had knocked down 10 of their 19 three-point attempts, and Murray already had 20 points.

Ayton Injury Forces Adjustment

Early in the second half, the Lakers announced that Deandre Ayton would not return due to a knee injury.

The absence forced Los Angeles to rely heavily on Jaxson Hayes, who delivered one of his strongest performances of the season.

Despite the challenge, the Lakers began to chip away at the lead through improved ball movement and defensive pressure.

By the end of the third quarter, Luka Dončić drilled a circus shot deep three-pointer to cut the deficit to seven, giving the Lakers real momentum heading into the final period.

Late Push Falls Just Short

Denver quickly regained control to open the fourth quarter when Tim Hardaway Jr. scored five straight points.

But the Lakers refused to fold.

LeBron once again sparked the offense, combining with Hayes during another strong run that trimmed the deficit to five points.

With four minutes remaining, LeBron briefly went down holding his elbow after finishing a layup, creating a tense moment. He returned with two minutes left and the Lakers trailing by just one point.

However, two missed three-point attempts from Marcus Smart proved costly.

The Lakers had 2 chances to tie the game in the final minutes. Both possessions ended with Marcus Smart missing open 3’s.

Were these the right shots? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/dHSKyJv3Zw

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) March 6, 2026

Jokic answered with four straight points, effectively sealing the game.

The 3 time MVP finished with a massive 28-point, 12-rebound, 13-assist triple-double, even while committing nine turnovers.

Strong Efforts From Hayes and Rui

Despite the loss, several Lakers stood out.

Hayes played exceptionally well, filling in for Ayton, battling Jokic inside, and providing energy on both ends.

Rui Hachimura also delivered a strong performance, providing scoring and physicality throughout the night.

The Lakers also showed resilience defensively, forcing 18 turnovers from Denver and converting them into 26 points.

Notably, Los Angeles committed only two turnovers in the entire second half, a significant improvement from the sloppy first half.

Still, the early deficit and Denver’s efficient perimeter shooting proved too much to overcome.

Final Thoughts

The final score may show a seven-point loss, but considering the 11–0 start by Denver, the Lakers’ comeback effort deserves credit.

However, missed layups, inconsistent perimeter shooting, and defensive lapses ultimately made the difference.

Against a team led by Jokic, those mistakes rarely go unpunished.