The Los Angeles Lakers earned their retribution by winning 120-108 Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena. This was Los Angeles’ tenth consecutive home win, the most since 2018 (per ESPN Broadcast). The Nuggets were without standout Jamal Murray (ankle) and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic (elbow/ankle) in their season finale against the Lakers.
Los Angeles lost their previous game in Denver on March 14, when the Nuggets were healthy and the Lakers were without four starters, including 21-time All-Star LeBron James and five-time First-Team All-NBA member Luka Doncic.
In the 131-126 loss, rookie guard Bronny James played his most minutes in a game this season (16).
Despite the setback, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka praised the rookie (via Joe Vardon of The Athletic).
“It’s great that JJ had the level of trust to throw him into a big game the other night at Denver, which is a tough place to play, and he got in the game, made a couple [of] defensive plays, made a corner 3, and I think that’s what he prides himself in is the 3-and-D type of archetype,” according to Pelinka. “And for him to be doing it in moments in NBA games, that’s great that he’s even grasped that already.”
Pelinka remarked of James, “He doesn’t appear to take a day for granted.” He genuinely enjoys every day, and you just appreciate having guys like that in your program.”
This season, James has alternated between the Los Angeles Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. While he hasn’t played much for the NBA team, James has averaged 20.6 points, 5.1 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 steals on 43.1% shooting in nine G League regular season games.
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