The Denver Nuggets found out they would be without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in tonight’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Unlike how Denver fared against the Golden State Warriors on Monday, this matchup was a disaster. The Nuggets ended up losing 120-108 to the Lakers at Crypto Arena in a fairly disappointing blowout. The final score doesn’t necessarily

Luka Doncic led the way for the Lakers with 21 points in the first quarter alone. The Lakers led 46-29 after the first quarter and by as many as 28 points midway through the second quarter. Though Denver cut into the lead at halftime, the Lakers extended the lead once again the the second half and rolled from there.

Doncic finished the game with 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, shooting 10-of-21 from the field and 4-of-9 from three-point range. He was locked in tonight and took advantage of the Nuggets defense, whether they were contesting shots well or not.

On the other side, Aaron Gordon continued his impressive scoring with 26 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 5-of-9 from three. He kept the Nuggets in the game for a while and continues to show growth as a scorer/shooter in a Nuggets uniform with Jokic and Murray sidelined.

Michael Porter Jr. was relentlessly hunted by the Lakers for most of the game. Between Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have two crafty and skilled guards that can take turns scoring in isolation against what they perceive to be a weak link. Porter fought all night and did what he could in one-on-one coverage, but the Lakers made too many baskets and got to the foul line too often that way.

The Nuggets as a whole might have been fine giving up some extra scoring possessions if they didn’t turn the ball over as often as they did. With 14 turnovers in the first half and 19 on the whole game, the Lakers finished with 30 points off of turnovers, making their job easier on both ends of the floor.

Denver didn’t have a chance when the shots stopped going down because the defense had already done enough damage, and it was all reserves for Denver from the fourth quarter onward.

Playoff Ramifications

This is an unfortunate loss for Denver for a number of reasons.

Ideally, they would be a top 2 or 3 seed and stay on the other side of the bracket from the Oklahoma City Thunder; however, a loss tonight increases Denver’s likelihood of being in the 4th or 5th seed extensively. The Lakers earn another win and are more likely to be seeded higher than the Nuggets, while the Nuggets are more likely to face the Thunder in the second round.

Beyond that though, the Nuggets would like to clinch a playoff spot as soon as possible. At 44-26 with 12 games to go in the playoffs, the Nuggets have just a four-game lead in the loss column over the 39-30 Los Angeles Clippers. Denver’s unlikely to relinquish their spot, but the sooner they clinch the playoffs, the better off for everyone.

As a result, I would expect Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to try and be back for Friday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers, who just dominated the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. Denver needs the wins, and while they have to balance being healthy and rested as well…Denver really needs the wins.

Every loss only heightens how close the Western Conference is. If the Nuggets had the same record in the Eastern Conference, they would have a 10-game lead over the 32-36 Atlanta Hawks, the current seventh seed.

For now, Denver’s honeymoon period of success without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray lasted exactly one game.

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