Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was not happy after his team suffered a tough 123-100 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. He felt the Lakers completely outplayed his team and admitted that he was also out-coached.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Malone pointed out several key reasons for the loss. He highlighted how the Lakers scored 39 points off turnovers and dominated in fast-break points with 33. He also mentioned that his team struggled with Los Angeles’ physical style of play, which affected their star player, Nikola Jokić.
Even though Jokić recorded a triple-double with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, he wasn’t as dominant as usual. He took only seven shots in the entire game and committed six turnovers, which was just one shy of his season high. Malone acknowledged that the Lakers’ tough defense and physicality made it difficult for Jokić to have his usual impact.
What makes this loss even more surprising is that the Nuggets were on a nine-game winning streak before this matchup. They still hold a strong position in the Western Conference with a 37-20 record, sitting in third place.
However, this game was a chance for Denver to make a statement against a strong opponent, and they failed to do so. Instead, it was the Lakers who gained confidence, especially with Luka Dončić putting on a spectacular performance. He finished the game with 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals, leading his team to a dominant victory.
The road ahead isn’t getting any easier for the Nuggets. After a day of rest, they start a tough four-game road trip against the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Boston Celtics. Each of these teams presents a unique challenge, and Denver will need to bounce back quickly if they want to stay near the top of the standings.
Malone’s harsh words after the loss show that he expects more from his team. The Nuggets will need to respond with better focus and energy in their upcoming games, or they could risk falling further behind in the competitive Western Conference.