Nuggets vs Lakers: Nikola Jokic leads Denver to win over LA, who falls to 0-4 on the season

Muricas News  — 

Two-time defending NBA MVP Nikola Jokic dominated on Wednesday night time, practically racking up a triple-double with 31 factors, 13 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals within the Denver Nuggets’ 110-99 victory in opposition to the struggling Los Angeles Lakers, who are actually 0-4 on the season.

It’s the fourth time in franchise historical past that the Lakers have began a season with an 0-4 document, they usually sit alongside the Sacramento Kings and the Orlando Magic because the NBA’s solely winless groups this marketing campaign.

LeBron James, who hasn’t misplaced his first 4 video games of a season since his rookie 12 months, had 19 factors, seven rebounds and 9 assists – however dedicated eight turnovers – for the Lakers, whereas Anthony Davis had 22 factors and 14 rebounds on the night time.

With the sport tied at 54-54 at halftime, the Nuggets pulled away within the third quarter of Wednesday’s recreation as they outscored the Lakers 32-17.

Nuggets ahead Bruce Brown scored 18 factors and Jamal Murray had 13 – together with a giant three-pointer to offer Denver a 15-point lead within the fourth quarter.

“I felt that third quarter was certainly one of our greatest quarters in a really brief season,” Nuggets head coach Mike Malone instructed reporters after the sport.

“We obtained the win, however extra importantly, we obtained the win taking part in how we have to play,” he added. “Defending, ball is flying, getting out and working off of our protection, so one thing to construct upon.”

The Nuggets, now 3-2 on the season, had Kentavious Caldwell-Pope depart the sport within the third quarter after twisting his ankle, and Malone stated the workforce would reassess the extent of the harm on Thursday.

The Lakers, in the meantime, have been with out Russell Westbrook on Wednesday as he recovers from a hamstring harm, with coach Darvin Ham saying they didn’t need to put the guard in a “weak place.”

In keeping with ESPN, the Lakers, who shot 8-for-30 from three-point vary in opposition to the Nuggets, have the worst three-point capturing begin by any workforce in NBA historical past with at the least 100 makes an attempt by way of 4 video games.

“We gotta make some pictures,” Lakers celebrity James stated after the sport, “A few of it's early season stuff, clearly. You already know, like I stated, it’s a brand new system, it’s a brand new group of men collectively. We’re nonetheless making an attempt to get aware of each other.”

“We’re 4 video games in, it sucks to lose, however having 78 video games left, there’s loads of time for us to proper the ship, and it begins now,” stated Ham.

The Lakers subsequent play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday in a bid to show their season round, whereas the Nuggets host the Utah Jazz.