The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for a challenging matchup against the Denver Nuggets, as they face a tough stretch of their schedule against playoff-caliber teams. The Lakers have struggled against the Nuggets in recent years, but with the addition of Luka Doncic to their roster, they are looking to turn the tide.
Doncic, who has been managing a left calf injury, sat out the previous game against the Portland Trail Blazers as a precaution. The Lakers have been cautious with his minutes and workload since his return from injury. However, Doncic has yet to have a standout offensive performance alongside LeBron James and Austin Reaves, and will need to step up against the Nuggets.
Head coach JJ Redick will need to devise a gameplan to contain the Nuggets’ star center, Nikola Jokic, who is a triple-threat on the court. With Anthony Davis traded, Jaxson Hayes has been thrust into a starting role and will face the challenging task of defending Jokic. The Lakers will need to execute defensive rotations effectively and limit the 3-point shooting of players like Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray.
The game against the Nuggets presents an opportunity for the Lakers to make a statement and show that they are contenders in the league. With key players like Doncic, James, and Hayes leading the way, the Lakers will need to bring their A-game to come out victorious in a hostile environment. Tune in on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. PT to catch all the action.
Attribution:
This article was summarized and republished from the original source.
Please check the original article here: https://lakersnation.com/lakers-vs-nuggets-preview-luka-doncic-returns-for-tough-road-test/.