Los Angeles Lakers concluded their preseason schedule with a 2-3 record after dropping a 121-106 decision to the Denver Nuggets, leaving the club with a mix of developmental flashes and lingering rotation questions as the regular season approaches, as.com reported.
The finale proved troubling from the opening tip, as the Lakers’ primary starters stumbled through a 22-36 first quarter. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined for 20 points in those initial 12 minutes, exploiting a Los Angeles defense that struggled as Denver applied heavy ball pressure and double-teamed Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The opening unit of Doncic, Reaves, and center Walker Kessler—who had seen minimal prior floor time together—helped fuel a 17-8 start for the visitors, plunging the Lakers into an early deficit driven by turnovers. Kessler, who enjoyed a strong preseason debut, struggled on both ends of the floor against Denver. The Nuggets shot 70 percent from the field in the opening frame, converting 9 of 10 shots in the paint.
Los Angeles managed to stabilize during the middle stanzas, pulling within 88-83 by the end of the third quarter. However, Denver pulled away in the final frame against a Lakers lineup that rested Doncic for the second half.
Bright spots arrived from Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili, who served effectively as a connective playmaker to mask roster deficiencies in his lineup combinations. On the other side, the Nuggets leaned on Jokic and Murray alongside strong bench contributions from DeMar DeRozan, while incorporating defensive-minded rotation hopefuls Alpha Diallo and Trevon Brazile.
JJ Redick Assesses Opening Quarter Energy and Backcourt Turnovers
JJ Redick pointed to a clear lack of energy from his group to begin the game. After the initial struggles, the Lakers adjusted better to Denver’s trapping defenses against the backcourt, though ball security—particularly from Reaves—remained an issue. Doncic exited the contest at halftime with 15 points and five turnovers across 19 minutes of action.
The Lakers lose to the Nuggets, 121-106, to close out the preseason 2-3. Reaves 19 pts 5 reb; Luka 15 pts 4 reb; Mamu 15 pts 8 reb 4 ast; Ziaire 14 pts on 5-of-6; Hardy 13 pts; Grimes 11 pts; Kessler 6 pts on 2-for-8 6 reb 2 blk.
Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle earned the start for Los Angeles, though Williams displayed a developing chemistry with Doncic that should secure him consistent minutes moving forward. Redick may look to Grimes for starting consideration, while Mamukelashvili figures to see regular minutes closing out halves.
Uncertainty surrounds several other roster spots. Collin Sexton has missed action due to an injury of which not enough is known, leaving a void as the team’s intended third creator and bench anchor—a role currently being tested by Jaden Hardy. Meanwhile, Dalton Knecht has appeared disconnected, and the front office has found limited trade interest, leaving a potential roster cut as the likely outcome.
Additional frontcourt depth remains thin. Bronny James has not shown the expected developmental trajectory to earn regular rotation minutes, Redick does not like Jarred Vanderbilt, and Kevon Looney deals with physical limitations that restrict his mobility. Young prospects Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr also missed the preseason finale due to physical ailments.
What Comes Next for Los Angeles
The Lakers now turn their attention to the start of the NBA regular season. Los Angeles must navigate these rotation uncertainties and questions surrounding backup frontcourt support to keep pace in a competitive conference featuring top-tier contenders like the Thunder and Spurs.
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