The Nuggets' dominance over the Lakers poses big problems for LeBron and company
By Tyler Key
The Lakers followed up the opening loss by losing to Denver on Kobe Bryant's statue night and LeBron James’ 40,000 career points night.
Following the opening night loss, talk then moved to how the Lakers will snap the losing streak when Denver comes to town, and there was a perfect reason to do so: Kobe Bryant statue night on February 8th. In a much closer contest, with LAL even tying the game 104-104 with 2:18 left to go in the game, the Nuggets outlasted them again for the 7th straight time. Denver ended the game on a 10-2 run and ruined Kobe statue night for Lakers fans, winning 114-106.
LeBron and Davis both played very well, combining for 57 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 5 blocks. It didn’t matter. Jokic, Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. added a combined 80 points, 28 rebounds, and 22 assists of their own.
This brings us to March 2nd, where LeBron was just a mere 9 points shy of breaking 40,000 career points. His family, former NBA players, and too many celebrities to name all packed Crypto Arena to watch his special moment (one that may never be replicated). Their opponent… was... the same Nuggets who had beaten them seven times in a row.