Nikola Jokić had a night to forget as the Denver Nuggets’ nine-game winning streak came to an end after a disappointing 123-100 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
He was caught off guard by the plan JJ Redick and the Lakers executed but believes Denver might have a bigger issue to solve.
‘Maybe We Tricked Ourselves’ – Nikola Jokić Gets Real About Blowout Loss To Lakers
As the final quarter of the 2024-2024 regular season continues, teams across the league battle for a spot in the postseason. The recent matchup between the Lakers and Nuggets was eagerly anticipated by NBA fans. After all, the Nuggets have found great success against the Lakers over the past few seasons and have even eliminated them from the playoffs twice.
While the Lakers finally getting a win against the Nuggets might not sound like a big deal, how they did so was unexpected, especially with regard to how they guarded Jokić.
Given that Jokić is a two-time MVP and Finals MVP and is considered by many to be one of the best players in the world, the Lakers focused all their defensive efforts on him throughout the game. They smothered him, making it hard for him to even get the ball, as he finished the night just 2-for-7 from the field.
Denver was also on a nine-game winning streak, but Jokić suggested it was probably the real reason behind their loss.
“We had the nine-game winning streak against teams that were injured, and teams that were not really good or high in the standings,” Jokić told reporters. “So maybe we tricked ourselves into (thinking) that we are playing good.”
"We had the 9-game winning streak against teams that were injured and teams that were not really good or high in the standings. So maybe we tricked ourselves in that we are playing good."
—Nikola Jokic
(via @guerillasports_)pic.twitter.com/SBwCQBxdfe
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 23, 2025
Jokić isn’t wrong, either. The Nuggets’ unbeaten streak came against teams with losing records, while they are 12-14 against teams with above .500 winning percentages.
Jokić finished the night with 12 points despite making just two shots and no 3-pointers. Most of his scoring came from the free-throw line as the Lakers continued to him. While this might not be a sustainable strategy, the fact remains that Los Angeles was able to keep him out of rhythm and win this game on the road.
Denver’s 100 points resulted from Aaron Gordon’s improved performance. Gordon led the scoring with 24 points, while Russell Westbrook scored 17 off the bench.
The Nuggets dropped back to third in the Western Conference standings with a 37-20 record and will now take on the Indiana Pacers.
