The Los Angeles Lakers, currently holding a 25-16 record, are set to kick off their longest road trip of the season with an eight-game stretch, starting against the Denver Nuggets (29-14) on Tuesday night. Dubbed the annual “Grammy trip,” this challenging journey holds great significance for the team.
The matchup will take place at the Ball Arena at 7 p.m. PT and can be viewed on NBC and Spectrum Sportsnet. This game brings back memories of past confrontations, particularly the notorious 2003 playoff sweep in favor of the Nuggets, which symbolizes the historical dominance Denver had over Los Angeles. However, the landscape has shifted. Luka Dončić altered the narrative in February 2025, leading the Lakers to victory against the Nuggets with an impressive performance of 31 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Since his arrival, the Lakers have managed to best Denver in two out of their last three encounters.
Despite the Lakers entering this game in a new era, the Nuggets have remained a formidable force, bolstered by the talent of Nikola Jokic and his reliable supporting cast. Nevertheless, the Lakers will face a Nuggets team missing Jokic as he recovers from a knee injury. That said, the Nuggets have successfully navigated injuries, winning seven of their last eleven games without him.
A key focus for the Lakers will be to contain Jamal Murray, who has stepped up in Jokic’s absence. He is having a standout season averaging 26.2 points per game with remarkable shooting percentages, making him a crucial player on the floor. The Lakers will need a strategic game plan to limit Murray’s impact, especially given the Nuggets’ offensive prowess, which leads the league in scoring efficiency.
Additionally, the interior game may lean in favor of the Lakers with the absence of Jokic and his backup, Jonas Valanciunas. DeAndre Ayton has been in fine form, recently scoring 25 points with 13 rebounds in a game against the Toronto Raptors. This matched with the Nuggets’ current defensive vulnerabilities presents a ripe opportunity for Ayton to exploit.
On offense, the Lakers need their superstars, Dončić and LeBron James, to excel. Both teams share struggles in defense and rebounding, but their offensive capabilities can shine through when healthy. For the Lakers to secure a victory, it is vital for their superstars to outperform Denver’s offensive figures, including Murray and Aaron Gordon, who have been pivotal in past matchups.
As the Lakers aim for a strong start to their road trip against the Nuggets, they have their sights set on claiming their first win of the season against Denver. The team’s injury report lists Austin Reaves and Adou Thiero as out, while the Nuggets will be missing Jokic, Valanciunas, Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun, and Tamar Bates. Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray are marked as probable to play, adding a sense of anticipation to the game.