Hometown kid Dalton Knecht helped out the Lakers with 32 points in a starting role. The Nuggets couldn’t defend, but they found enough buckets in the end.

Fortunately, with the game on the line, Nikola Jokic set a massive (moving?) screen, taking out two defenders, which opened the door for Jamal Murray to save the day for the Nuggets. It was an ugly win for the Nuggets,

Denver struggled against a depleted Lakers team, and coach Michael Malone has to walk a fine line between urgency and rest.

The Nuggets were never able to fully break away from the shorthanded Lakers which led to the game coming down to the final seconds to decide the outcome. Jamal Murray sunk the dag

Ahead of the start of the Lakers vs Nuggets showdown, let's take a look at the Denver Nuggets injury report to figure out whether Nikola Jokic will play tonight or not.

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Two top-four teams in the Western Conference will battle for playoff positioning as the Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Lakers.

Luka Doncic will be absent for the Los Angeles Lakers in their game against the Denver Nuggets due to an undisclosed injury. The Lakers, struggling with multiple injuries, including LeBron James, will rely on Austin Reaves and other role players.

Luka Dončić will not play for the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night as they take on the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers confirmed Doncic will not play because of left calf injury management and a right ankle sprain.