Shorthanded Lakers dropped by Nuggets.
DENVER — The Lakers fall to the Nuggets in a one-sided shorthanded battle, falling to Denver 122–109 to drop their record to 19–22 and snap their five-game win streak.
“We’re trending in a great direction,” said head coach Darvin Ham, adding that the team needs to try to get better constantly.
In a game where the Lakers were missing five key players, the team became even more depleted when Patrick Beverly suffered a right hip injury in the second half after slipping under the basket near the Nuggets' bench.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Lonnie Walker IV, Troy Brown Jr., and Patrick Beverly (who played one half) were all unavailable for the Lakers in Monday’s loss.
The struggles came from the floor in Monday’s loss, shooting just 28% (8–28) from three and 44% (41–93) overall from the field as a team.
The Lakers had five players score in double figures, with three coming from the starting lineup, one of which was rookie Mac Christie, who got his first start in his young career and became the Lakers' seventh youngest rookie to start a game.
Christie finished with a season-high 14 points, going 2-for-3 from behind the arc and 6-for-8 overall, adding 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 25 minutes.
“Max is special. He’s a sponge. He listens. Plays hard. Competes,” said Kendrick Nunn on rookie Max Christie. “That’s always a gift to have as a rookie. I think he’s doing everything the right way. Puts in work. He’s a hard worker.”
It was reported after the game that Russell Westbrook dislocated his pinky in the first half and had to pop it back into place twice in Monday’s loss to the Nuggets, showing why he had early struggles from the field, starting the game 0-for-8.
Westbrook finished with a team-high 25 points on 47% (10-for-21) shooting from the field, adding 7 assists and 7 rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench.
Thomas Bryant was impactful in the first half but cooled down in the second half, grabbing just four rebounds in the second half after a 6-rebound first half, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes.
“I’m happy where we’re at right now, but there are still a lot of things we have to work on and accomplish, but I like where we’re headed,” said Thomas Bryant.
The Lakers will travel back home for a five-game home stretch starting this Thursday against the 23–18 Dallas Mavericks at 7:00 PM on Spectrum SportsNet and TNT.
