The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets are set to renew their rivalry on Saturday in what projects to be a primetime matchup. The two franchises have met in the playoffs three times over the past five seasons, fueling an ongoing battle for Western Conference supremacy.
This time, however, a new chapter is set to unfold. The Nuggets will face a Lakers squad different from the one they defeated in November, as Los Angeles now boasts the addition of Luka Doncic—arguably the NBA’s most lethal offensive weapon.
Despite the Lakers’ new acquisition, Denver appear to be unfazed. The Nuggets have dominated this matchup in recent years, with 13 wins in their last 14 meetings against the Lakers, including the postseason.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77)
© Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
Speaking with Malika Andrews on ESPN’s NBA Today, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon made it clear that the Nuggets are focused on their own team rather than other opponents.
“They definitely have a new look to them,” Gordon said of the Lakers. “We don’t really concern ourselves with other teams. We focus on what’s going on in our locker room. We take care of what we’re supposed to take care of. If the cards fall where they may, we focus on Denver Nuggets basketball and that’s it. It doesn’t really matter who’s in front of us or who our opposition is.”
“[The Lakers] definitely have a new look to them … We don’t really concern ourselves with other teams.” 😤
Aaron Gordon with @malika_andrews on Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets’ matchup with Luka Doncic and the Lakers Saturday 👀 pic.twitter.com/TXB2Q1IH3T
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 21, 2025
The Nuggets enter the contest in dominant form, having won nine straight games and sitting tied for second in the Western Conference. On the flip side, the Lakers—currently fifth in the West—are still adjusting to life with Doncic. Since his arrival from the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles has lost two of the three games he has played.
Saturday’s matchup at Ball Arena tips off at 8:30 PM ET and will be broadcast nationally on ABC.