Game ID: 22400965
Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets
Friday, March 14, 2025 at 9:30 PM ET
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DEN 32 39 31 29 131LAL 40 27 32 27 126
DEN vs LAL ScoutingDEN vs LAL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
DEN availability going into 3/07 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 3 since 2/28, returns tonight: 39 min (128% of 30)
OUT Šarić missed 2 since 3/02, out tonight
BACK Watson back 3/05 after 13, 17 min since (75% of 23)
NEW Nnaji 10 to 16 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 3/09 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 2 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 3 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 2 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 3/07 after 3, 39 min since (128% of 30)
BACK Watson back 3/05 after 13, 20 min since (90% of 23)
DEN availability going into 3/10 · back-to-backOUT Strawther missed 3 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 4 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 3 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 3/07 after 3, 23 min since (75% of 30)
BACK Watson back 3/05 after 13, 16 min since (69% of 23)
NEW Porter Jr. 33 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 10 to 17 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 4 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 5 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 4 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 3/07 after 3, 23 min since (75% of 30)
BACK Watson back 3/05 after 13, 18 min since (79% of 23)
DEN availability going into 3/14 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 2 since 3/10, returns tonight: 32 min (104% of 30)
OUT Strawther missed 5 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 6 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 5 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Watson back 3/05 after 13, 17 min since (77% of 23)
NEW Nnaji 10 to 15 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 3/15 · back-to-backOUT Strawther missed 6 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 7 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 6 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 3/07 after 3, 26 min since (85% of 30)
DEN availability going into 3/17 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 7 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 8 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 7 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 3/14 after 2, 32 min since (104% of 30)
NEW Westbrook 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 10 to 16 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 8 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 9 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 8 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 3/14 after 2, 34 min since (113% of 30)
NEW Westbrook 27 to 35 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Jokić missed 2 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 2 since 3/17, returns tonight: 35 min (95% of 37)
OUT Strawther missed 9 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 10 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 9 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 3/14 after 2, 33 min since (109% of 30)
NEW Westbrook 27 to 34 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/06 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 2 since 3/02, returns tonight: 32 min (91% of 35)
OUT Hachimura missed 3 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 15 since 1/30, out tonight
OUT Goodwin missed 2 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 8 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Milton back 3/02 after 3, 14 min since (125% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/04 after 4, 4 min since (43% of 10)
BACK Jemison III back 2/28 after 2, 19 min since (185% of 10)
LAL availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restOUT Hachimura missed 4 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 16 since 1/30, out tonight
OUT Goodwin missed 3 since 3/02, returns tonight: 16 min (91% of 17)
OUT Morris missed 9 since 2/19, out tonight
BACK Reaves back 3/06 after 2, 32 min since (91% of 35)
BACK Milton back 3/02 after 3, 14 min since (125% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/04 after 4, 4 min since (43% of 10)
BACK Jemison III back 2/28 after 2, 18 min since (172% of 10)
NEW Hayes 19 to 26 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Hachimura missed 5 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 17 since 1/30, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 10 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Milton missed 2 since 3/06, returns tonight: 6 min (52% of 11)
OUT Len missed 2 since 3/06, returns tonight: 13 min (127% of 10)
BACK Reaves back 3/06 after 2, 35 min since (100% of 35)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 16 min since (91% of 17)
BACK Jemison III back 2/28 after 2, 15 min since (149% of 10)
NEW Finney-Smith 29 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Hayes 19 to 27 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 3/13 · 2 days' restOUT Hachimura missed 6 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 2 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 18 since 1/30, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 11 since 2/19, returns tonight: 12 min (77% of 16)
BACK Reaves back 3/06 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 35)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 20 min since (115% of 17)
BACK Milton back 3/02 after 3, 11 min since (101% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/04 after 4, 9 min since (85% of 10)
NEW Finney-Smith 29 to 35 min over the last 4
NEW Vincent 21 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Knecht 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 16 to 23 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/14 · back-to-backOUT James missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 7 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 3 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 19 since 1/30, returns tonight: 7 min (37% of 18)
BACK Reaves back 3/06 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 35)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 22 min since (126% of 17)
BACK Morris back 3/13 after 11, 12 min since (77% of 16)
BACK Milton back 3/10 after 2, 5 min since (45% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/04 after 4, 12 min since (118% of 10)
NEW Vincent 21 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Knecht 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 16 to 22 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/16 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 8 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 4 since 3/08, returns tonight: 29 min (157% of 19)
OUT Jemison III missed 2 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Reaves back 3/06 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Reddish back 3/14 after 19, 7 min since (37% of 18)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 25 min since (143% of 17)
BACK Morris back 3/13 after 11, 18 min since (115% of 16)
BACK Milton back 3/10 after 2, 13 min since (117% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/10 after 2, 15 min since (142% of 10)
NEW Finney-Smith 29 to 35 min over the last 3
NEW Knecht 19 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 16 to 22 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/17 · back-to-backOUT James missed 4 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 9 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 3 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 29 min since (157% of 19)
BACK Reddish back 3/14 after 19, 7 min since (37% of 18)
BACK Goodwin back 3/08 after 3, 26 min since (147% of 17)
BACK Morris back 3/13 after 11, 18 min since (115% of 16)
BACK Milton back 3/10 after 2, 13 min since (117% of 11)
BACK Len back 3/10 after 2, 15 min since (142% of 10)
NEW Vincent 21 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Knecht 19 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 16 to 21 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT James missed 5 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 10 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Len missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 4 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 28 min since (152% of 19)
BACK Milton back 3/10 after 2, 11 min since (103% of 11)
NEW Vincent 21 to 29 min over the last 4
NEW Knecht 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Goodwin 17 to 29 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/20 · back-to-backOUT James missed 6 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Hachimura missed 11 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Reddish missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 22 min (125% of 18)
OUT Morris missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 28 min (183% of 16)
OUT Len missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 17 min (165% of 10)
OUT Jemison III missed 5 since 3/13, returns tonight: 16 min (158% of 10)
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 27 min since (145% of 19)
NEW Knecht 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Goodwin 17 to 29 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 124, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Murray at 21 a game. Without Gordon (2 straight), Strawther (5 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 114, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and James at 29 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without James (2 straight), Hachimura (7 straight), Hayes (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 114 a night to Denver's 124 and the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 14 times a game to Denver's 10. Call it Denver 119, the Lakers 114.
3/07 vs PHX 149-141 — DEN notes
DEN won 149-141 in 1 overtime. DEN shot 59% (57 of 97) to PHX's 56%, 21 of 40 from three, and got to the line 18 times to PHX's 29. Jokić led with 31 (13 of 22, 3 of 7 from three); Gordon added 27, Braun 25. The hinge was Q1, 37-28: from level to 9 ahead, and the lead reached 21. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
3/09 @ OKC 103-127 — DEN notes
DEN lost 103-127. DEN shot 41% (40 of 97) to OKC's 49%, 12 of 40 from three. Jokić led with 24 (10 of 23, 2 of 10 from three, 2 of 6 at the line); Porter Jr. added 24, Braun 19. Q1 was theirs, 29-28, but the other 3 periods went 99-74 against them. They led by as many as 11. Porter Jr.'s -33 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/10 @ OKC 140-127 — DEN notes
DEN won 140-127. DEN shot 60% (52 of 86) to OKC's 47%, 18 of 32 from three. Jokić led with 35 (15 of 20); Murray added 34, Porter Jr. 17. The hinge was Q4, 39-28: a lead of 2 became 13, and the lead reached 16. DEN trailed 67-73 at the half and won the second half 73-54. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
3/12 vs MIN 95-115 — DEN notes
DEN lost 95-115. DEN shot 40% (36 of 89) to MIN's 48%, 7 of 30 from three, and went to the line 22 times to MIN's 16 — 16 points from the stripe to their 12. DEN turned it over 10 times to MIN's 15. Jokić led with 34 (13 of 23, 2 of 6 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Westbrook added 19, Murray 12. Q2 was theirs, 22-23, but the other 3 periods went 92-73 against them. Porter Jr.'s -31 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/14 vs LAL 131-126 — DEN notes
DEN won 131-126. DEN shot 52% (44 of 85) to LAL's 47%, 13 of 31 from three, and went to the line 38 times to LAL's 16 — 30 points from the stripe to their 13. Jokić led with 28 (8 of 16, 0 of 4 from three, 12 of 17 at the line); Murray added 26, Braun 22. The hinge was Q2, 39-27: DEN came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 4. Gordon was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
3/15 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 127, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Murray at 22 a game. Without Strawther (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 121, shooting 42 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Poole at 20 and Sarr at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Coulibaly (2 straight), Johnson (2 straight), Brogdon (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 41 percent from three to Washington's 35 and the glass, where Denver has been minus-3 a night and Washington minus-8. Call it Denver 122, Washington 117.
3/17 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 28 free throws a game; Curry at 27 and Butler III at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Podziemski (4 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 124, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 32 and Murray at 23 a game. Without Strawther (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the defense, Golden State allowing 109 a night to Denver's 124 and the glass, where Golden State has been plus-4 a night and Denver minus-4. Call it Golden State 120, Denver 113.
3/19 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and Reaves at 28 a game. Without James (5 straight), Hachimura (10 straight), Reddish (2 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 34 and Murray at 24 a game. Without Strawther (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-1 a night and the Lakers minus-4 and the turnovers, Denver giving it away 14 times a game to the Lakers' 11. Call it the Lakers 117, Denver 116, Denver keeping it close.
3/21 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Avdija at 25 and Simons at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Grant (5 straight), Ayton (16 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 34 and Gordon at 27 a game. Without Jokić (2 straight), Murray (2 straight), Strawther (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: Portland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-9 a night and Denver plus-1 and the defense, Portland allowing 108 a night to Denver's 118. Call it Portland 116, Denver 113, Denver keeping it close.
3/06 vs NYK 113-109 — LAL notes
LAL won 113-109 in 1 overtime. LAL shot 43% (38 of 89) to NYK's 39%, 14 of 42 from three. Dončić led with 32 (9 of 23, 4 of 12 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); James added 31, Vincent 12. The hinge was Q4, 23-15: LAL came in trailing by 8 and left it level. LAL trailed 51-60 at the half and won the second half 62-49. Dončić was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
3/08 @ BOS 101-111 — LAL notes
LAL lost 101-111. LAL shot 45% (39 of 87) to BOS's 48%, 14 of 40 from three, and got to the line 14 times to BOS's 25. Dončić led with 34 (11 of 22, 5 of 10 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); James added 22, Reaves 16. Q4 was theirs, 34-24, the deficit cut from 20 to 10, but the other 3 periods went 87-67 against them. Dončić's -19 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/10 @ BKN 108-111 — LAL notes
LAL lost 108-111. LAL shot 44% (37 of 85) to BKN's 41%, 19 of 40 from three, and got to the line 19 times to BKN's 30. LAL turned it over 15 times to BKN's 7, and BKN turned those into 10 steals. Vincent led with 24 (8 of 12, 6 of 9 from three); Dončić added 22, Knecht 19. Q1 was theirs, 28-16, but the other 3 periods went 95-80 against them. They led by as many as 15. Reaves's -10 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/13 @ MIL 106-126 — LAL notes
LAL lost 106-126. LAL shot 44% (38 of 87) to MIL's 48%, 15 of 40 from three, and got to the line 18 times to MIL's 33. The glass went 38-48 against them. Dončić led with 45 (14 of 27, 7 of 13 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); Reaves added 28, Knecht 10. Q4 was theirs, 24-24, but the other 3 periods went 102-82 against them. Goodwin's -17 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/14 @ DEN 126-131 — LAL notes
LAL lost 126-131. LAL took 20 more shots (105 to 85), fed by 19 offensive rebounds, but shot 47% to DEN's 52%, 15 of 40 from three, and got to the line 16 times to DEN's 38. Reaves led with 37 (13 of 26, 4 of 10 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Knecht added 32, Milton 16. Q1 was theirs, 40-32, but the other 3 periods went 99-86 against them. They led by as many as 11. Vanderbilt's -13 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/16 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 118, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and Reaves at 21 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without James (3 straight), Hachimura (8 straight), Hayes (4 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 120, shooting 53 percent and 46 from three, 22 free throws a game; Durant at 25 and Booker at 25 a game. Without Allen (2 straight), Richards (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, Phoenix at 46 percent from three to the Lakers' 38. Call it the Lakers 117, Phoenix 116, Phoenix keeping it close.
3/17 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Dončić at 34 and Reaves at 25 a game. Without James (4 straight), Hachimura (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 130, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Fox at 23 and Vassell at 19 a game. One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 115 a night to San Antonio's 130. Call it the Lakers 118, San Antonio 116, San Antonio keeping it close.
3/19 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Dončić at 30 and Reaves at 28 a game. Without James (5 straight), Hachimura (10 straight), Reddish (2 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 34 and Murray at 24 a game. Without Strawther (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-1 a night and the Lakers minus-4 and the turnovers, Denver giving it away 14 times a game to the Lakers' 11. Call it the Lakers 117, Denver 116, Denver keeping it close.
3/20 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and Reaves at 29 a game. That is 3 straight wins. They have lost the glass by 4 a night. Without James (6 straight), Hachimura (11 straight), Reddish (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 28 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 24 and Lillard at 19 a game. Without Portis (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 114, Milwaukee 113, Milwaukee keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALAL A. Len
AR A. Reaves
BJ B. James
CK C. Koloko
CR C. Reddish
DK D. Knecht
JG J. Goodwin
JV J. Vanderbilt
MM M. Morris
SM S. Milton
DENAG A. Gordon
CB C. Braun
JM J. Murray
JP J. Pickett
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
RW R. Westbrook
ZN Z. Nnaji
LAL/DEN the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Jamal Murray's clutch 3-pointer helps Nuggets hold off short-handed Lakers 131-126
DENVER -- — Jamal Murray sank a 3-pointer with 5.6 seconds left and Russell Westbrook stole the inbounds pass for a exclamation-point dunk as the Denver Nuggets rebuffed the scrappy, short-handed Los Angeles Lakers 131-126 on Friday night.
Murray finished with 26 points and while the win was something to celebrate, there were enough red flags for coach Michael Malone to crumple up the stat sheet as he sat down for his postgame news conference.
Austin Reaves scored 37 points and Dalton Knecht added 32 for the Lakers, whose lengthy list of injured players included LeBron James and Luka Doncic , who was ruled out on the second night of back-to-back games because of left calf injury management and a right ankle sprain.
James missed his third straight game with a left groin strain and returned to Los Angeles along with Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy) and Jaxson Hayes (bruised right knee) ahead of the Lakers’ game in Denver. Also, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent sat out to rest left ankle injuries.
James’ son, Bronny, scored five points after being recalled from the G League.
The Lakers lost their fourth straight despite a furious second-half rally that saw them take a 126-123 lead with 52 seconds remaining.
Nikola Jokic , who scored 28, tied it with a three-point play and Reaves misfired from 15 feet before Murray buried the 3 thanks to a screen from Jokic that blocked two defenders.
Takeaways Lakers: Despite feeling under the weather, Bronny James played 16 minutes.
Nuggets: Denver's inability to pull away from a short-handed bunch could be cause for concern for a team jockeying for playoff position.
Key moment The Lakers were about to get blown out but used a 19-9 run to close the third quarter and cut a 13-point deficit to 102-99.
Key stat The Nuggets were 21 of 25 from the free throw line before halftime. The Lakers only shot seven free throws in the first half and made six.
Up next The Lakers host Phoenix on Sunday. The Nuggets host Washington on Saturday night, their fifth game in seven days.