Latest:
oct 17 2026The Nuggets settled their final preseason test in the first quarter. At Crypto.com Arena, Denver came out with far more energy, punished the Lakers' help defense, and led 36-22 at the end of the first period. From there, the home team chased the scoreboard all night without managing to turn it around, and the visiting victory ended up being comfortable: 106-121.
A first quarter that decided the game
The Lakers started with Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Ziaire Williams, and Matisse Thybulle. Denver had a clear plan: two players on Dončić on every possession, to force the Lakers to play with their wings open. The visitors went up 17-8 and extended the lead with Jokić moving the ball and Jamal Murray punishing from outside, reaching 36-22 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter belonged to the Lakers, who won it 33-26. Three-pointers from Thybulle and Jake LaRavia and a strong stretch from Ziaire Williams, with 14 points in just eleven minutes, cut the deficit to seven at halftime (62-55). Dončić had 15 points in the first half but also five turnovers, and did not return to the court after halftime.
Cameron Johnson's ejection and the final comeback attempt
The third quarter featured the night's most controversial play. The referees reviewed an elbow from Cameron Johnson on Reaves, upgraded it to a flagrant foul type 2, and ejected the Nuggets' small forward. Even so, Denver maintained the lead, which reached 17 points, and entered the fourth quarter up 88-83.
In the fourth quarter, with the Lakers' starters already on the bench, Sandro Mamukelashvili scored eight straight points and the home team got within four. It was their best moment of the night. The Nuggets responded with a run that sealed the game, and won the quarter 33-23.
Read also:
- Oklahoma City Thunder preview for the 2026-27 NBA season
- Jorge Díaz-Graham signs with the Dallas Mavericks
Jokić and Murray sharp; questions for the Lakers
Jokić needed just eight shots to score 17 points, to which he added 8 assists and 6 rebounds. Murray, with 21 points, and Christian Braun, with 16, completed the attack for a Nuggets team that shot 58 percent. For the Lakers, Reaves scored 19 points but on 5 of 11 shooting with six turnovers. The best performers were the bench players, led by Mamukelashvili (15 points and 8 rebounds) and Jaden Hardy (13). JJ Redick's team finishes the preseason with a 2-3 record and opens the regular season on Wednesday against the Warriors.
