Los Angeles Lakers Suffer Season Opener Setback Against Defending Champions, Denver Nuggets

In their season opener, the Los Angeles Lakers clashed with the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, but came up short with a final score of 119-107. The game was characterized by struggles in shooting and the unexpected disappearance of some of the Lakers’ star players.

Lakers head coach, Darvin Ham, remains optimistic despite the disappointing start to the season. He believes that as the season progresses, the team will find its rhythm and grow more comfortable on the court.

At halftime, the Lakers were trailing 63-54 but managed to close the gap with a quick 6-0 run in the final moments of the second quarter. However, the team’s performance took a downturn in the second half, with Anthony Davis failing to score a single point after contributing 17 in the first two quarters.

Coach Ham acknowledges that there are areas the team needs to work on, but he is not overly concerned about this challenging matchup against one of the top teams in the NBA.

Key Takeaways:

• The Lakers suffered a 119-107 defeat to the Denver Nuggets in their season opener.
• Despite a strong start in the first half, the team struggled in the second half, with Anthony Davis going scoreless after a promising first two quarters.
• Coach Darvin Ham remains optimistic about the team’s future performance and growth throughout the season.

Off the bench, Rui Hachimura and Gary Vincent faced difficulties finding their shooting rhythm, combining for just 12 points on a 6-18 shooting performance. Hachimura had the tough assignment of guarding Nikola Jokic at times, and the reigning MVP took full advantage, finishing the game with an impressive stat line of 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists.

Looking ahead, the Lakers are set to face the Phoenix Suns, who currently hold a 1-0 record after narrowly defeating the Golden State Warriors with a final score of 108-104 in a closely contested game that came down to the wire.

“Obviously it’s the first game of the season and we have to get better at and improve,” Coach Darvin Ham said. “Against a team like that, you make any mistake or you come out flat, they are going to make you pay for it. So, our biggest thing, again, is meeting aggression with aggression. Some things we definitely could have controlled a little better offensively. But, it’s the first game. We’ll get better, trust me.”

(via Khobi Price, The Orange County Register)

While the Lakers’ season opener may not have gone as planned, fans can expect the team to make necessary adjustments and improvements as they continue their journey in the highly competitive NBA.