Nikola Jokic has a 23-point triple-double and Denver ends the Lakers' seven-game win streak, 122-105, on a night when Davis hobbles to the locker room after aggravating his sore right Achilles. He will have an MRI on Monday.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James gestures to teammates during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker, center, drives to the basket between Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji, left, and guard Facundo Campazzo in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket against Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket against Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot over Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Monte Morris #11 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Monte Morris #11 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against Dennis Schroder #17 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against Dennis Schroder #17 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot over Marc Gasol #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot over Marc Gasol #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Marc Gasol during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket against Vlatko Cancar #31 of the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr, dunks as Los Angeles Lakers center Marc Gasol watches during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James,, left, drives past Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot over Marc Gasol #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, center, picks up the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic pursues in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, center, drives to the basket between Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso, left, and forward Kyle Kuzma in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, right, drives to the basketas Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji, center, drives to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James jokes with Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, pulls in a rebound next to guard Talen Horton-Tucker during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, drives to the basket past Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo drives past Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker, rear, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guards Jamal Murray, center, and Monte Morris defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris, front, picks up the ball in front of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, goes up to shoot over Los Angeles Lakers center Marc Gasol in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Alfonzo McKinnie, left, drives to the rim as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, reacts as he is fouled while driving to the basket by Los Angeles Lakers center Marc Gasol in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James questions a call during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, pulls in a rebound as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris, right, is defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroeder during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris, left, picks up a loose ball next to Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji, left, defends as Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroeder drives to the basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, is tied up by Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 14: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot over Vlatko Cancar #31 and R.J. Hampton #13 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, left, argues for a call with referee Nate Green during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers center Marc Gasol, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji, left, passes the ball as Los Angeles Lakers forward Alfonzo McKinnie defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James watches during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Lakers entered Ball Arena on Sunday night with the hopes and expectations for a second straight win over the team they beat in the Western Conference finals last year. But what was initially living up to its billing as a playoff-worthy tilt quickly became a nightmare after an on-court bump aggravated Anthony Davis’ Achilles tendon injury, and the Lakers (21-7) tumbled with him.
From the moment Davis was injured late in the second quarter, when the Lakers trailed by five points, the Denver Nuggets (15-11) poured it on. They finished dealing the Lakers a 122-105 loss, ending a seven-game winning streak for the defending champions and leaving the status of their younger franchise star up in the air.
Davis is scheduled for an MRI on Monday after the Lakers travel to Minnesota for the second game of their brief trip – after which begins a grueling stretch of games against some of the league’s top teams, including the Brooklyn Nets, the Miami Heat and the Utah Jazz in short succession. With Davis already missing two games in the past week due to tendonosis in his right Achilles, the Lakers now might find themselves short one of their critical weapons for the stretch before the March 5 All-Star break.
“No rush. No timetable,” LeBron James said of his running mate. “We have no idea from that aspect. We just want him to be healthy and get back to full strength.”
If the Denver game is anything to go by, it’s not a promising road without Davis – the Lakers suffered their most lopsided loss of the season.
James scored aggressively early, driving a promising Lakers start after their recent run of brutal first-quarter efforts. But after scoring 19 points by halftime, including a soaring, buzzer-beating dunk to end the half, he had only three points after intermission as the Lakers reeled from the loss of Davis.
A week-and-a-half after a blowout loss to the Lakers at Staples Center, Nikola Jokic again looked like a leading MVP candidate with a triple-double (23 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists). The Nuggets took advantage after Davis walked gingerly off the court to end the half with an 11-5 spurt for the double-digit edge at the break, and the Lakers never quite found the capacity to catch up: Their offensive output diminished each quarter, from being neck-and-neck with Denver at the end of the first with 33 points to wrapping the fourth quarter with only 20.
There were 10 lead changes in the first half, but Denver never let go of it in the second. While the team denied that they couldn’t overcome the emotional hit from seeing Davis walk back to the locker room, James at least acknowledged it was a factor.
“I mean it’s definitely deflating anytime you lose a big player, your big guy on your team who at the start of the game, we have a lot of things that’s built in around A.D. and a lot of other players,” James said. “When he goes down, you have to switch up what you’re doing offensively and defensively. So obviously that hurt us.”
The Lakers’ ferocious defense, which spurred the comeback in the Feb. 4 win, was without its fangs, particularly after Davis left for the locker room. They struggled to defend the 3-point line, as the Nuggets went 19 for 47 from distance. Jamal Murray (25 points) did plenty of damage from long range, but so did rookies Zeke Nnaji and Facundo Campazzo, who combined for 31 points.
It was also another paltry night from the perimeter for the Lakers, who went just 6 for 28 on 3-point attempts. It’s a slumping trend: The team has now shot 33.3 percent or worse in 10 of its last 12 games.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said he hoped his team would generate more open looks, especially if outside shooting has to carry more of the load with Davis out, but he trusted that some of that shooting will zip back toward how the Lakers shot at the start of the year.
“That’s one of those things you just stay the course, you continue to focus on execution and generating quality shots and have our guys continue to honor their work,” Vogel said. “And the numbers come back around.”
There was some light in the blowout: Kyle Kuzma capably stepped in for Davis, scoring 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds. While the fourth-year forward showed strong instincts on quick cuts to the basket in concert with James, his most memorable play was a one-handed putback dunk over Michael Porter Jr. in the third quarter – unfortunately for the Lakers, one of their few second-half highlights.
James said the game plan for the Minnesota game on Tuesday (against Karl-Anthony Towns) should be smoother if the Lakers have to play without Davis. And neither this loss nor any they might take without him, will have the space for excuses, Kuzma said.
“We still, A.D. or not, shouldn’t lose by 20,” he added. “We just got to come out and be more ready and be more engaged and ready to fight.”
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