The Nuggets' dominance over the Lakers poses big problems for LeBron and company
By Tyler Key
If it was not already clear already to NBA fans and Lakers/LeBron James fans following the Denver Nuggets’ Western Conference Finals sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, it is now undisputable: The Nuggets own the Lakers. After losing all four games against the Nuggets in the playoffs last May (despite NBA media giving the Lakers moral victories and props for a “competitive sweep”), the Nuggets have now swept the Lakers in the 2023–2024 NBA regular season as well.
In addition to this, LeBron and his friends have lost eight straight to the defending NBA champions. During the offseason and the Lakers media day prior to the season starting, there was much talk about how the team would be revamped and coming back this season with a vengeance. LA’s superstar duo made it especially clear that they were ready to go, with the Lakers being set to face the same team that knocked them out of the playoffs on the opening night of the NBA season.
Anthony Davis had a message for Michael Malone and the Nuggets: “It was just a lot of talking. We get it; y’all won, but me and Bron had some conversations. We can’t wait [to play them].” Well, opening night came and went, the Nuggets raised their championship banner, and all of the talk from Davis and the Lakers proved to be insufficient to get the job done.
Denver ended up beating Los Angeles 119-107, in a game that the Lakers trailed for 44:54 minutes. This was their sixth straight loss in a row to Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and the Nuggets. “Who’s your daddy?!” chants rained throughout Ball Arena as the Lakers took another L on the way out.