Lakers coach JJ Redick recently repeated a word of An old song by Jay-Z: “It was good a week ago.”
Entering Friday’s match against the Denver Nuggets, things were not good for the Lakers. They participated in a sequence of three consecutive defeats. They were down three runners LeBron James,, Rui Hachimura And Jaxson Hayes. A fourth, Luka Donicwas seated in the second night of a consecutive back. Two other key rotation players, Dorian Finney-Smith And Gabe VincentWere not also available because they managed long -term injuries.
A week ago, the Lakers were mainly healthy, flying for Boston on a sequence of eight consecutive victories. A week ago, they rose the ranking, not slippery.
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But even if the staff did not reflect the Lakers a week ago, at least the energy did Friday, the team pushing the nuggets for four quarters before making too many mistakes in a 131-126 loss.
“I am proud of the group for the level of combat and resilience,” said Redick.
Nugget stars Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic ran a peak and roll, opening Murray for a three -point pointer with 5.6 seconds. As if he had so many times against the Lakers, the leader struck the big blow.
Austin ReavesWho crowned his recruit season with a triple-double of 31 points in Denver, almost led the Lakers (40-25) to the ball to be turned upside down, marking 37 assists and eight rebounds. Dalton Knecht, from his hometown, had his points the most in mid-November with 32 years old, and Shake Milton scored 16 on the bench.
Knecht has scored his last two points on a dunk and landed awkwardly on the back and head. He was able to stay in the game.
“I told him in the group, I said,” Hey, if you want to shoot him, pull him. I don’t care if you draw it 35 times, we will need each bucket you can get, ” told Knecht Reaves. “So it’s a hooper.”
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The Lakers led by three in the last minute before a game of three points Jokic and the triple of Murray. The five starters marked two digits for Denver (43-24).
Reaves, who had to freeze his right wrist after the Lakers defeat in Milwaukee on Thursday, said he was not sure to play, but ultimately the possibility of competing had carried it.
“We know that when we are healthy and everyone has been part of the team that we are very good at defeating anyone,” said Reaves. “I just see this group, come together, lock themselves on a common goal and it is to win. And tonight, I think it is the biggest testimony of this. Very digital disadvantage and went to play a very good basketball team with probably the best player in the world. And went aside and had the opportunity to win it and simply did not execute the last 50 seconds.”
He played 39 minutes.
“He certainly asked a lot of him the second night of a consecutive back, not just 40 minutes, but just the vast majority of game tasks,” said Redick. “And I thought he had done exceptional work.”
The Lakers were fortunate to force overtime, but they could not get the Inbound Pour Reaves, Russell Westbrook pass and soak in the last seconds.
Before the match, Redick again sounded optimistic about what the Lakers get more aid in next week, when the team plays five games in Los Angeles, including a pair of back on Sunday and Monday and Wednesday and Thursday to wrap a section in which they will play six times in eight days.
Lakers have been the first team since 2022 to have six games in eight days, playing the composition of a match with the San Antonio Spurs which was postponed during forest fires in January.
They return to Los Angeles on a sequence of four defeats of four games of the season, with full health at a while.
“We went 0-4, so it’s a very bad trip. But … JJ said: “A week ago, everyone is like Lakers in five years.” So we don’t listen to anything, ”said Reaves.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
