Lakers End Denver's Hot Streak with Convincing Victory
The Los Angeles Lakers achieved a powerful 123-100 victory over the Denver Nuggets on February 22, 2025. This win not only halted Denver’s impressive nine-game winning streak but also highlighted a standout performance by Luka Dončić, who tallied a season-high 32 points along with 10 rebounds and 7 assists. His influence on the game was clear from the start, offering the Lakers a crucial edge.
In addition to Dončić's remarkable display, LeBron James showed his trademark brilliance with 25 points. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura also played critical roles, scoring 23 and 21 points, respectively. While Hachimura had to leave the game in the fourth quarter due to a left-side injury, the Lakers continued their momentum. Even in his absence, they managed to extend their lead with a 12-2 run, demonstrating their depth and resilience.
Nuggets Struggle to Keep Up
The Nuggets found themselves struggling to find their rhythm, despite Aaron Gordon's 24 points and Jamal Murray's 19. Nikola Jokić, usually a commanding presence, found it difficult to hit his stride, achieving only 2-of-7 from the field. Despite his inefficiencies, he managed to notch his 26th triple-double of the season, but his six turnovers proved costly. Denver's attempts to stretch their winning run to ten games under Michael Malone's leadership ultimately fell short, a feat never reached in his decade with the team.
This commanding performance by the Lakers marked their first win on Denver's home court since April 2022, punctuating their struggle with a 13-1 record in games against the Nuggets. The Lakers are now set to enjoy the comfort of their home court with an upcoming six-game stretch starting with the Dallas Mavericks. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will look to get back on track as they head to Indiana for their next challenge.
Sihle Tana
I am a journalist with a passion for covering daily news in Africa. My work has taken me across the continent, reporting on significant events and stories that impact communities. I strive to bring insightful and comprehensive news coverage to my readers.
Lakers looked sharp tonight. No fluke.
Dončić was in full control. Every pass, every shot - he made the Nuggets look lost. This is why they paid the max.
Jokić got 26 triple-doubles this season and still lost? 🤦♂️ The guy’s a stat pad. Give me a real MVP who wins games, not box scores. 📊
The Lakers’ offensive efficiency was off the charts - 62% true shooting with a 32% assist-to-field-goal ratio. Jokić’s defensive impact was negated by poor spacing and Denver’s inability to switch effectively on pick-and-rolls. Classic iso-heavy collapse.
LeBron still got it. But let’s be real - he’s just riding the wave. Dončić carried this team.
Nuggets were fine. Lakers just got lucky. Wait till they play them again.
This is why you build around talent, not just stars. Dončić’s vision, Reaves’ hustle, Hachimura’s scoring - it’s all connected. When the ball moves like that, defenses break. Denver got complacent. They thought their streak meant they were untouchable. Nah. Basketball’s a game of adjustments. Lakers adjusted. Nuggets didn’t. This ain’t over. Denver’s got heart. They’ll bounce back. But tonight? Tonight was a masterclass in team basketball.
The Lakers’ ability to sustain momentum after Hachimura’s exit speaks volumes about their roster construction and coaching philosophy. This is not a team built on individual brilliance alone; it’s a system that rewards discipline, spacing, and defensive rotations. Denver’s reliance on Jokić as the sole offensive engine exposed their lack of secondary creation. The 12-2 run wasn’t luck - it was execution.
It is noteworthy that the Lakers have now secured their first victory at Ball Arena since April of the year 2022. This constitutes a significant milestone within the context of their recent competitive history against the Nuggets.
Hachimura’s injury is concerning, but the fact that they didn’t miss a beat proves how deep this roster is. Reaves stepping up, Austin’s defense on Murray - that’s the kind of cohesion you build over time. This team’s got a real shot.