Lakers start strong but still can’t solve Nuggets in series opener
Anthony Davis (32 points) and LeBron James (27) fuel the Lakers, but Nikola Jokic (32) and Denver take control with a 13-0 third-quarter run to beat them for the ninth consecutive time, 114-103
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic drives against Lakers star Anthony Davis during the second half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. Both big men had 32-point double-doubles, but Jokic and the Nuggets beat the Lakers for the ninth consecutive time, 114-103. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James soars to the basket for a layup in front of Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson during the first half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star Anthony Davis, lower left, and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon compete for the ball during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. At right is Lakers’ Rui Hachimura. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star Anthony Davis dunks in front of Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray during the first half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Lakers star Anthony Davis reacts after a dunk against the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and Peyton Watson. right, reach for a rebound against Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star LeBron James drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) goes up to shoot against Lakers forward LeBron James, center right, during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray celebrates after a 3-point basket against the Lakers during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell takes a shot from outside as the Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun defends during the first half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic dunks during the first half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Lakers coach Darvin Ham watches as his team plays during the first half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star Anthony Davis bobbles the ball during the first half in Game 1 of the team’s NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center top, shoots against Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star LeBron James is pressured by Denver Nuggets forward Justin Holiday (9) during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star LeBron James gets to the basket as the Denver Nuggets’ Peyton Watson defends during the first half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) goes up to shoot against Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star LeBron James yells against the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) goes up to shoot against Lakers forward LeBron James, left, during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star LeBron James, right, is fouled by Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson during the first half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James walks on the court during the first half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson celebrates after a 3-point basket against the Lakers during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, top, battles for a rebound against Lakers star Anthony Davis during the first half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, center, fights for the ball against Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left,and guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) breaks up a pass intended for Lakers forward Anthony Davis, center left, during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic dunks against the Lakers during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star LeBron James takes a 3-point shot against Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star LeBron James celebrates after a 3-point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) goes up to shoot against Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star Anthony Davis grabs a rebound against Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon dunks against the Lakers during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon celebrates after a dunk against the Lakers during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star Anthony Davis, right, gets a hand on the ball as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic looks to shoot during the second half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. Both big men had 32-point double-doubles, but Jokic and the Nuggets beat the Lakers for the ninth consecutive time, 114-103. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray soars to the basket for a layup as Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, and center Anthony Davis defend during the third quarter of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and Lakers forward LeBron James (23) go after the ball during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives to the basket against the Lakers during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic puts up a shot as Lakers star Anthony Davis defends during the third quarter of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, left, defends as Lakers star Anthony Davis grabs a rebound during the second half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. Both big men had 32-point double-doubles, but Jokic and the Nuggets beat the Lakers for the ninth consecutive time, 114-103. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, left, defends as Lakers star Anthony Davis grabs a rebound during the second half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. Both big men had 32-point double-doubles, but Jokic and the Nuggets beat the Lakers for the ninth consecutive time, 114-103. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon shoots from outside during the third quarter of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon celebrates during the fourth quarter of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James goes up to shoot against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic goes up to shoot against Lakers forward LeBron James, right, during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., center right, is pressured by Lakers forward Taurean Prince, center left, during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) blocks a shot by Lakers forward LeBron James, center, as Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) applies pressure during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr, right, goes up to shoot against Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, left, during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic drives against Lakers star Anthony Davis during the second half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. Both big men had 32-point double-doubles, but Jokic and the Nuggets beat the Lakers for the ninth consecutive time, 114-103. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic drives against Lakers star Anthony Davis during the second half of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. Both big men had 32-point double-doubles, but Jokic and the Nuggets beat the Lakers for the ninth consecutive time, 114-103. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives past Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic dunks against Lakers forward LeBron James, back, during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic dunks against Lakers forward LeBron James, back, during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, and forward Aaron Gordon celebrate their victory over the Lakers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James falls to the court in front of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon during the fourth quarter of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James slips while going against Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, enter left, goes up to shoot against Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Lakers star LeBron James leaves the court after their loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray shoots as Lakers star Anthony Davis defends during the fourth quarter of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, and guard Jamal Murray celebrate their victory over the Lakers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
A group of Lakers fans show their spirit before Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and the Lakers on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Shirts are draped on the Ball Arena seats prior to Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and the Lakers on Saturday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER — The start was so promising, providing optimism that the Lakers could finally get over what feels like a Rocky Mountain-sized challenge in the Denver Nuggets.
But by the time Game 1 of this first-round playoff series reached the fourth quarter on Saturday night, the result felt inevitable and the same as the previous eight matchups between the two teams: a 114-103 Denver victory, giving the Nuggets the early advantage in the best-of-seven series.
“We was playing good basketball,” Lakers star LeBron James said. “Came out and got some good shots. We was able to connect on some shots and build up a 12-point lead. Obviously, they cut that lead to three at the half with the spurt they had in the second quarter. Which led them into the third, they rolled that momentum and got to a double-digit lead for themselves.”
The Lakers mostly hit the right buttons in the first quarter and benefited from the Nuggets’ early cold shooting.
LeBron James (27 points, eight assists, six rebounds) scored nearly half of his points (12) in the opening quarter. D’Angelo Russell (six first-quarter points) had a strong start. The Lakers pushed the pace frequently, attacked the paint as much as they could and limited their turnovers.
But as soon as the Lakers started to slip, the Nuggets made them pay.
First was the Lakers’ defensive rebounding, with the Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokić (32 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists), grabbing 15 offensive rebounds for 18 second-chance points, 10 more than the Lakers, who grabbed just six offensive boards.
The transition defense and paint defense also slid, with the Lakers not being crisp with getting back on defense once their shooting started to cool off, leading to 21 Denver fast-break points. The Nuggets committed just four turnovers – just one by their starters – while the Lakers turned the ball over a dozen times, including seven by James.
“You don’t have much room for error versus Denver’s team, especially at their home floor,” James said. “They’re just a team that’s been through everything. Obviously, they’re the defending champions, so you gotta execute, you gotta make shots, you gotta defend. And then you can’t give them extra possessions.”
And once the Nuggets’ perimeter shots started to fall, making six 3-pointers in the third quarter after making six in the first half, the Lakers struggled to keep up, watching leads of 33-25 at the end of the first and 60-57 at halftime turn into an 89-78 deficit by the end of the third.
“We got to come out and play with a sense of urgency,” said Lakers big man Anthony Davis, who finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots. “We had some turnovers to start the third quarter. We got some bad shots, they got out in transition. They made some shots. But I think our sense of urgency was really low. Some uncharacteristic turnovers where we were just lazy. It wasn’t trying to make the right way. It was just live-ball turnovers that we can control that kind of got them going.”
Davis tried to will the Lakers back into the game, scoring 10 points in the fourth and helping cut the Nuggets’ fourth-quarter lead from 15 (91-86) to six (98-92) after his fadeaway jumper with 6:15 remaining.
But the Nuggets, as they typically have against the Lakers, made the right plays down the stretch.
Jokic ended the competitive part of the game with an emphatic dunk with 1:11 remaining, giving the Nuggets a 112-101 lead.
“It’s super frustrating obviously, especially against a team like them,” Lakers guard Austin Reaves said. “You almost had to play a perfect game anyway because they don’t really make mistakes. And when you kind of get them into, say a 5-0, 7-0 run, they just slow everything down and get exactly where they need and they know exactly what they’re going to get.
“It’s frustrating because you know how sound they are as a team.”
Two other Nuggets had double-doubles – Jamal Murray had 22 points (9-for-24 shooting) and 10 assists, and Aaron Gordon had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 19 points and eight boards and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored all 12 of his points after halftime, making a trio of 3-pointers during a 13-0 run the Nuggets used to seize control in the third quarter.
Russell struggled with his shooting after the first, finishing with 13 points on 6-for-20 shooting (1 for 9 from 3-point range) – seven points for 3-for-15 shooting (1 for 7 from deep) in the final three quarters. Saturday continued his postseason struggles against the Nuggets. He averaged 6.3 points on 32.3% shooting (13.3% from behind the arc) and 3.5 assists in last year’s conference finals, when Denver swept the Lakers.
“D-Lo is a huge reason why we’re here in the first place,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “I’m not going to bail out on my player just because he’s missing the shots that he normally makes. It just wasn’t his night. Shooters are going to have nights like that. But I want him to remain aggressive. That was a good thing, I saw him being aggressive. His energy remained great. He remained positive. So we’ll go back and try to get better from the film and try to have a better performance [in] Game 2.”
The Lakers haven’t beaten the Nuggets since Dec. 16, 2022, but they’ll try again Monday night in Game 2 at Ball Arena, where Denver is now 34-8 this season.
Ham concurred with Nuggets coach Michael Malone’s postgame sentiment about expecting a competitive series.
“Everybody’s going to lose their mind over one game, and give them their credit, they held serve at home,” he said. “They’re a tough home team, tough to beat in general, but they’re really good at home. … (But) we did a lot of good things out there tonight.”
James certainly didn’t sound rattled.
“I don’t ever get into the ‘here we go again’ mindset,” James said. “One game, they protected their home court. We have another opportunity on Monday to come back and be better. We know how challenging it’s going to be. We know how difficult this opponent is and how great they are.
“You start doubting? I don’t get into the doubting mindset. I’m the wrong guy to ask.”
“It’s a big team. They have a big front court…. We just have to do a better job of trying to get hits and collectively rebound in the defensive glass.” LeBron James tonight's matchup. pic.twitter.com/rEEd1rUhOe
Darvin Ham: "I truly believe this is still gonna be a hard fought series… It's a matter of going back to the drawing board. We did a lot of good things out there tonight." pic.twitter.com/w9YLYV4L5J
