The Los Angeles Lakers opened an eight-game road swing with a 115-107 comeback victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, erasing a 16-point deficit at Ball Arena.
Luka Doncic scored 16 unanswered points on 6-for-6 shooting early, while LeBron James sealed the finish with a pair of emphatic fourth-quarter dunks. The win moved Los Angeles to 26-16 in its first matchup of the season with Denver.
Early shooting barrage favors Denver
Playing without Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets hit their first five shots—four of them three-pointers—to jump ahead 14-6. Spencer Jones later drained four consecutive triples, helping Denver close the opening quarter up 37-28. James knocked down a buzzer-beater to keep the deficit in single digits.
Lakers trim gap before halftime
Reserve forward Drew Timme provided seven quick points to start the second period, and James followed with three free throws and a highlight dunk. Despite Doncic’s continued scoring, Jamal Murray sank a heave from beyond mid-court to cap an 8-0 run, sending Denver to the locker room leading 71-57.
Los Angeles surges in the third
Center Deandre Ayton did not return after halftime because of a left-eye injury, but the Lakers intensified their pace. James and Doncic sparked a 13-0 stretch that cut a 16-point margin to two, and Los Angeles entered the final quarter down just 88-86.
Fourth-quarter takeover
Timme tied the game with the first basket of the fourth. Moments later, Doncic connected on two free throws for the Lakers’ first lead of the night. Marcus Smart fueled the push with plays at both ends, and his three-pointer built a double-digit cushion. A thunderous dunk from James ended Denver’s last rally attempt as Los Angeles closed out the win.
What’s next
The Lakers continue their road trip Thursday, although the next stop brings them back to Southern California for a meeting with the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Source: LakersNation.com
