The Denver Nuggets are looking to extend their perfect home playoff record to three straight series when they host Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
Injury Update Los Angeles Lakers – Denver Nuggets
Denver leads the series 1-0, but both teams came away with hopes of reaching the NBA Finals.
The Nuggets executed their game plan flawlessly in the series opener Tuesday, winning 132-126 with to hefty doses of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and enough from the supporting cast.
The offensive performance, spearheaded by Jokic’s triple-double of 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists, gave the Nuggets their highest point total over the first 12 postseason games of the season. Denver is currently 7-0 in the postseason at home.
Jokic was three assists shy of completing his triple-double by the end of the first half, as Denver led by as many as 18 in the first two quarters and by 21 in the third quarter, 93-72. It was his second 30-point triple-double in a row, and his third in the last five games.
When Jokic made a contested step-back 3-pointer with the Lakers’ Anthony Davis in his face at the conclusion of the third quarter for a 106-92 lead, he simply shrugged.
The Nuggets got 31 points from Jamal Murray, 15 points and 10 rebounds from Michael Porter Jr., and 21 points from former Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
“Nikola was great,” remarked Nuggets coach Michael Malone. “His aggression, driving the ball, dunking in traffic.” We frequently discuss an aggressive Nikola Jokic is a powerful Nikola Jokic. He did an excellent job.”
However, the Lakers will be optimistic heading into Game 2. After starting with effectively three guards in D’Angelo Russell, Dennis Schroder, and Austin Reaves, they shifted to a larger lineup late in the game, with Rui Hachimura playing the whole fourth quarter.
The Lakers got within a possession twice late in the game, the second time at 129-126 on a pair of LeBron James free throws with 1:12 left. James had 26 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists in the game.
James (foot) is expected to play in Game 2 against the Nuggets on Thursday, according to Harrison Faigen of SBNation.com.
James has been suffering with a lingering foot issue throughout the postseason but has yet to miss a game as a result.
In Game 1, the superstar forward had 26 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, and one block in 40 minutes, so he should be able to play without restriction in Game 2.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis finished the first game with 40 points (14-23 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 11-11 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and three steals.
Davis topped all scorers with 40 points and five thefts and blocks in Tuesday’s Game 1 loss, putting up a dominant performance on both ends of the court.
Despite the setback, the Lakers will enter Game 2 with confidence after overpowering the Nuggets late in the fourth quarter after overcoming a poor start.
Davis (right foot stress injury) is expected to play on Thursday, according to Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com.
Davis has been listed as probable in every playoff game so far due to a right foot injury, but he has yet to miss a game.
If the Lakers are to defeat the top-seeded Nuggets, Davis will surely need to be at his best on a nightly basis. Given his performance thus far in the playoffs, he certainly looks up to the challenge.
Injury Report Lakers:
| PLAYER | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| LeBron James | Foot |
Game Time Decision
|
| Mo Bamba | Ankle |
Expected to be out until at least May 20
|
| Anthony Davis | Foot |
Game Time Decision
|
Injury Report Nuggets:
| PLAYER | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| Collin Gillespie | Lower Leg |
Out for the season
|
