The Los Angeles Lakers were close to finally beating the Denver Nuggets.
Following seven consecutive losses dating back to last season — which included a four-game sweep in the Western Conference Finals — it seemed like they were finally ready to get back at them.
Then, Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., and Jamal Murray took matters into their own hands to make sure that didn’t happen.
Mike Malone’s team rallied late in the game to get a double-digit win over the Purple and Gold and keep their supremacy over them.
Following the loss, Lakers coach Darvin Ham had a rather simple answer as to why they couldn’t keep their foot on the gas.
Ham said that they made some plays, which is what championship-caliber teams do, and that the Lakers weren’t able to keep up with them (Via Spectrum SportsNet).
"They made plays. That's what championship teams do. And we just didn't make enough of them." Darvin Ham on tonight's loss. pic.twitter.com/QBGNVUrH6g
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 3, 2024
Once again, the Lakers’ coach just stated the obvious.
He could’ve talked about how the offense became stagnant, or how they failed to make adjustments to prevent Porter Jr. from shooting 100% from the floor.
Ham has failed to make any sort of adjustment to get past the Nuggets, and that’s a massive concern with the playoffs in sight.
Giving Rui Hachimura big minutes against the Nuggets only worked for two quarters in the playoffs last season, and while he had a solid game, it’s become more than evident that he cannot guard Nikola Jokic in the post; no one can.
The Lakers could be fine as long as they don’t match up with the Nuggets in the playoffs, but you have to go through championship-caliber teams to win a championship.
NEXT: Austin Reaves Reacts To Lakers' Loss To Nuggets