Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets saw their nine-game win streak come to an end Saturday night in Denver against a familiar foe, the Los Angeles Lakers. While the Nuggets were looking like the hottest team in the NBA, the Lakers, who have won 14 of their last 18 games, stifled the home team tonight in an exclamation road win.
Although the Nuggets were looking great entering this game, it must be noted who their competition was. Throughout the nine-game winning streak Denver achieved, only one team they played was currently a top-10 seed in either conference.
On the season, the Nuggets have a below .500 win percentage against teams with a winning record. The Lakers, however, are right on the heels of the Nuggets, now just one spot behind in the Western Conference standings and two games back.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves and Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
In a locker room interview after the game, Jokic had an honest admission about the winning streak.
“We had the nine-game winning streak against teams that were injured, and not really good or high on the standings,” Jokic said. “So, maybe we tricked ourselves.”
Nikola Jokić on playing struggling teams during the winning streak:
“Maybe we tricked ourselves.” pic.twitter.com/PNS1JOtsi2
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) February 23, 2025
Jokic had one of his worst offensive outputs on the season in his first matchup with the new-look Lakers led by Luka Doncic. Jokic only attempted seven field goals and finished with 12 total points on the night opposed to his 19.5 field goal attempts and 29.4 points per game averages
The Nuggets had 20 turnovers in the loss, an excellent representation of the No. 1 defensive rating in the NBA the Lakers possess over the last 15 games. While the Lakers return home to LA to a six-game home stand, the Nuggets are off on a four-game road trip, three of which include top-five teams in the Eastern Conference.