Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Match Player Stats: In-Depth Analysis and Insights for 2024-25 Season

Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers have maintained their intense rivalry throughout the 2024-25 NBA season with four compelling matchups showcasing elite talent and strategic contrasts. The addition of Luka Dončić to the Lakers’ roster has added a new dimension to this storied matchup, while Nikola Jokić’s record setting triple double season for Denver has continued to cement his legacy as one of the game’s greatest players.

Overview of the Rivalry

The Nuggets and Lakers rivalry has evolved significantly in recent years, with Denver holding a decisive 13-1 record against Los Angeles from 2023 through the early part of the 2024-25 season. This includes Denver’s sweep in the 2023 Western Conference Finals and a 4-1 series win in the 2024 playoffs. However, the 2024-25 regular season brought more competitive balance, with the teams splitting their four matchups evenly at 2-2.

Their games in November 2024, February 2025, March 14, 2025, and March 19, 2025 offered basketball fans a showcase of superstar performances and team dynamics. This analysis draws on comprehensive statistical data from official NBA sources, highlighting player performances and key trends.

Game 1: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers – November 23, 2024

Final Score: Nuggets 127, Lakers 102

This game at Crypto.com Arena demonstrated Denver’s continued dominance, extending their remarkable record against the Lakers.

Denver Nuggets Key Player Stats

• Nikola Jokić: 34 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists on 14/22 FG (63.6%). Jokić’s efficient scoring and playmaking were on full display, particularly in a dominant third quarter.
• Michael Porter Jr.: 24 points on efficient shooting, stretching the Lakers’ defense with his perimeter threat.
• Russell Westbrook: 14 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds. The former Laker contributed a solid double-double, effectively leading Denver’s transition attack.
• Christian Braun: 12 points, 3 rebounds on 5/8 FG. Braun provided quality minutes off the bench.
• Jamal Murray: 11 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds. While Murray had a quieter scoring night, his playmaking supported Denver’s offensive flow.

Los Angeles Lakers Key Player Stats

• LeBron James: 13 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds on 5/12 FG. James’ impact was limited as the game progressed.
• Austin Reaves: 10 points, 3 assists, 4/9 FG. Reaves struggled against Denver’s perimeter defense.
• Anthony Davis: 9 points, 6 rebounds, 4/10 FG. Davis had a notably subdued performance against Jokić.
• D’Angelo Russell: 8 points, 3/10 FG, 0/4 from three. Russell’s shooting woes continued in this matchup.

Analysis

The Nuggets’ third-quarter surge (35-17) proved decisive, expanding what had been a competitive first half into a comfortable lead. Denver capitalized on 15 Lakers turnovers and dominated inside, with Jokić’s MVP-level performance overwhelming LA’s defense. The Lakers’ inability to maintain their offensive rhythm after halftime highlighted a recurring issue against the Nuggets’ championship-caliber execution.

Game 2: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets – February 22, 2025

Final Score: Lakers 123, Nuggets 100

This stunning upset in Denver marked a significant shift in the rivalry, with the Lakers securing a rare and decisive victory over the Nuggets.

Los Angeles Lakers Key Player Stats

• Luka Dončić: 32 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals on 12/20 FG (60%). In his breakout game as a Laker, Dončić was brilliant from the opening minutes, setting an aggressive tone with 16 first-quarter points.
• LeBron James: 25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks on 10/18 FG. James provided an efficient all-around performance complementing Dončić.
• Austin Reaves: 23 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds on 9/16 FG. Reaves stepped up as a reliable third option.
• Rui Hachimura: 21 points, 4 assists on 8/13 FG. Hachimura’s bench scoring was crucial to maintaining the Lakers’ advantage.

Denver Nuggets Key Player Stats

• Nikola Jokić: 12 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, 5/7 FG, 6 turnovers. Despite recording a triple-double, Jokić was limited by the Lakers’ defensive focus, taking just 7 shots.
• Aaron Gordon: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 9/14 FG. Gordon was Denver’s most effective offensive player.
• Jamal Murray: 19 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 7/15 FG. Murray provided scoring but couldn’t spark a comeback.
• Russell Westbrook: 17 points, 4 rebounds on 6/12 FG. Westbrook’s energy off the bench wasn’t enough to change the game’s momentum.

Analysis

The Lakers’ 123-100 victory was a statement win, snapping Denver’s nine-game winning streak. Dončić’s stellar performance (32 points, 10 rebounds) showcased why the Lakers acquired him, while the team’s collective defensive effort limited Jokić to just 7 field goal attempts. The Lakers jumped out to a 17-point first-quarter lead and never looked back, offering a glimpse of their potential when their stars align. Denver’s 18 turnovers and uncharacteristic offensive struggles highlighted how the Lakers’ defensive intensity disrupted the Nuggets’ usual flow.

Game 3: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets – March 14, 2025

Final Score: Nuggets 131, Lakers 126

This tightly contested affair at Ball Arena featured clutch shooting and late-game drama, with the Nuggets edging a shorthanded Lakers team.

Denver Nuggets Key Player Stats

• Nikola Jokić: 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals on 8/16 FG and 12/17 FT. Jokić’s scoring and key plays down the stretch were decisive.
• Jamal Murray: 26 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds on 10/18 FG. Murray’s clutch three-pointer with 5.6 seconds remaining sealed the win.
• Christian Braun: 22 points on impressive efficiency. Braun stepped up with increased responsibility.
• Aaron Gordon: 17 points in 31 minutes, providing interior presence.
• Russell Westbrook: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists. Westbrook’s versatile contribution included a game-clinching steal and dunk in the final seconds.

Los Angeles Lakers Key Player Stats

• Austin Reaves: 37 points, 13 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 steals on 13/26 FG (50%). With the Lakers missing both James and Dončić, Reaves delivered a career-caliber performance.
• Dalton Knecht: 32 points as the rookie stepped up significantly in a high-pressure situation.
• Anthony Davis: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 6/14 FG. Davis battled but had limited offensive impact against Denver’s frontcourt.
• D’Angelo Russell: 12 points, 5 assists, 4/12 FG. Russell continued to struggle with efficiency against Denver.

Analysis

Despite missing their stars LeBron James and Luka Dončić, the Lakers nearly pulled off an upset behind Austin Reaves’ career-high 37 points and rookie Dalton Knecht’s impressive 32-point performance. The Lakers rallied to take a three-point lead with 52 seconds remaining, but Murray’s clutch three-pointer with 5.6 seconds left followed by Westbrook’s steal and dunk secured Denver’s win. The Nuggets’ 15-7 edge in offensive rebounds and 18 second-chance points proved crucial in the narrow victory. Despite the loss, this game showcased the Lakers’ depth and Reaves’ emergence as a legitimate scoring threat.

Game 4: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers – March 19, 2025

Final Score: Lakers 120, Nuggets 108

The Lakers evened the season series in this final matchup at Crypto.com Arena, with both stars back in action.

Los Angeles Lakers Key Player Stats

• Luka Dončić: 31 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists in just three quarters of play. Dončić continued his excellent play against Denver.
• LeBron James: Returned from injury to provide veteran leadership and scoring efficiency.
• Anthony Davis: Improved defensive presence with multiple blocks and better rebounding than in previous matchups.

Denver Nuggets Key Player Stats

• Notable absences: The Nuggets played without stars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, who were both managing injuries.
• Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr.: Carried the scoring load for Denver in the absence of their stars.

Analysis

The Lakers took advantage of Denver’s depleted lineup, with Dončić continuing his impressive play after the February breakout game. This victory gave the Lakers a 2-2 split in the season series and important momentum heading toward the playoffs. Perhaps most significantly, it earned them the tiebreaker over Denver by virtue of their superior conference record, which would prove valuable in final playoff seeding.

Statistical Trends and Insights

Star Performances

• Nikola Jokić: Averaged 24.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 7.7 assists across the three games he played against the Lakers. His historic 2024-25 season saw him become only the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season (29.6 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 10.2 APG), joining Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook in this elite club. Jokić finished the season with 34 triple-doubles, tied for the fourth-most in NBA history for a single season.
• Luka Dončić: Made an immediate impact after joining the Lakers, averaging 31.5 points in his two games against Denver. His performance in the February 22 contest (32 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals) demonstrated his elite two-way capabilities.
• Austin Reaves: Emerged as a reliable offensive threat, highlighted by his 37-point, 13-assist performance on March 14. Reaves averaged 23.3 points across the three games he played significant minutes in.
• Jamal Murray: Averaged 18.7 points and 6.0 assists in three games against the Lakers, with his clutch shooting in the March 14 contest proving decisive.

Team Dynamics

• Turnovers: The Lakers struggled with ball security, averaging 14.5 turnovers per game compared to Denver’s 12.0, creating additional scoring opportunities for the Nuggets.
• Rebounding: Denver’s 12.3 offensive rebounds per game (vs. Lakers’ 8.7) generated valuable second-chance points, particularly evident in the March 14 contest.
• Three-Point Shooting: The Lakers improved their perimeter shooting against Denver over the course of the season, particularly in their two victories where they shot above their season average of 36.5%.
• Roster Depth: Both teams demonstrated their depth throughout the four-game series. Denver showed resilience despite missing key players at times, while the Lakers’ supporting cast—particularly Reaves and Knecht—stepped up admirably when their stars were absent.

Strategic Takeaways

For Denver:

The Nuggets continued to demonstrate their championship pedigree with Jokić as their offensive fulcrum. Their ability to exploit mismatches, especially through Jokić’s passing, remained a cornerstone of their strategy against the Lakers. However, they showed vulnerability when aggressive perimeter defense limited Jokić’s shooting opportunities, as demonstrated in the February matchup.

Denver’s offensive rebounding advantage consistently created extra possessions, a key factor in their victories. Their bench contributions, particularly from Russell Westbrook against his former team, provided valuable scoring and playmaking when their starters rested.

For Los Angeles:

The Lakers discovered a blueprint for success against Denver through their two victories: aggressive defense on Jokić to limit his shot attempts, strong perimeter shooting, and leveraging Dončić’s multi-faceted offensive skills. When operating at full strength with James, Davis, and Dončić, the Lakers demonstrated they could compete with and defeat the defending champions.

Austin Reaves’ emergence as a reliable third scoring option provided the Lakers with an additional dimension, particularly evident in his 37-point explosion when the stars were absent. The Lakers’ improved depth and versatility allowed them to adapt to different game situations and personnel configurations.

Conclusion

The 2024-25 regular season matchups between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers reflected a rivalry in transition. Denver’s previous dominance (13-1 since 2023) was challenged by a revamped Lakers squad featuring Luka Dončić alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The teams’ 2-2 split in the regular season suggested a more competitive balance moving forward.

Key statistical trends particularly around turnovers, rebounding, and star performances—shaped these outcomes. Nikola Jokić’s historic triple-double season continued to elevate Denver’s ceiling, while Dončić’s immediate impact transformed the Lakers’ offensive approach against the Nuggets.

As both teams position themselves for playoff success, their regular season encounters have laid the groundwork for potential postseason matchups. The contrasting styles—Denver’s methodical, Jokić-centered offense versus the Lakers’ star-powered attack—promise to deliver compelling basketball should these Western Conference powers meet again in the 2025 playoffs.

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