Lakers star LeBron James dribbles the ball up the court during the first half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, looks to pass the ball as Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. Jokic had a 29-point triple-double and Davis was held scoreless after halftime as the Nuggets won, 119-107. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, right, drives against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers forward LeBron James drives to the basket past Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and forward Aaron Gordon, right, during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray celebrates after a basket during the first half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers star Anthony Davis drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers coach Darvin Ham confers with forward Anthony Davis during the first half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers star LeBron James dribbles the ball up the court during the first half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center, looks to pass the ball as Lakers forwards Anthony Davis, left, and LeBron James defend during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. Jokic had a 29-point triple-double as the Nuggets won, 119-107. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, argues after referee Michael Smith called a foul on him during the first half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers star Anthony Davis follows through on a shot over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Taurean Prince, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers star LeBron James talks to a referee during the first half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, grabs a rebound next to Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers forward LeBron James goes up for a basket past Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, handles the ball as Lakers forward LeBron James defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, left, joins Coach Michael Malone to argue a call with referee Kevin Cutler during the second half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers guard Gabe Vincent handles the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers forward LeBron James goes up for a dunk past Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham directs the team from the sidelines during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope takes a shot during the second half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, gets tangled with an unidentified Lakers player while going for a rebound as Lakers star Anthony Davis looks on during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers star Anthony Davis sits on the bench during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon drives as Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, right, defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and center Nikola Jokic, right, defend during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers stars LeBron James, right, and Anthony Davis head back on defense during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray handles the ball during the second half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura drives the lane as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, right, defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, right, steals the ball from Lakers forward Cam Reddish during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James looks to the bench during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, right, is defended by Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis falls into some courtside seats as teammate Austin Reaves, front, crashes to the floor while the two were vying for control of the ball during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders, center, watches from a courtside seat during the second half of the Denver Nuggets’ season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic collects the ball as Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell watches during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, left, picks up a loose ball as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives past Lakers forward Taurean Prince during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers coach Darvin Ham watches from the sidelines during the first half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shoots after colliding with Lakers guard Austin Reaves during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis, right, and Rui Hachimura walk off the court during a timeout in the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James, right, and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon compete for a loose ball during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon shoots over Lakers forward LeBron James during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James heads to the bench during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, is defended by Lakers forward Cam Reddish during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon is defended by Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, left, and forward Rui Hachimura during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone talks through a call with an official as Aaron Gordon, left, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, center, and Jamal Murray look on during the second half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, left, looks to pass as Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James looks toward the crowd during a timeout in the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray shoots during the second half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders watches the NBA season opener between the Denver Nuggets and the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Gabe Vincent heads off the court after their loss to the Denver Nuggets in their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
From left, Lakers guards Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell and forwards Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura and Taurean Prince sit on the bench near the end of their loss to the Denver Nuggets in their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lakers star LeBron James walks off the court after they lost their season opener to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James, right, greets Colorado wideout Travis Hunter after the Lakers’ season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter, left, jokes with quarterback Shedeur Sanders before the NBA season opener between the Denver Nuggets and the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, and Lakers star Anthony Davis greet each other before their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER — For the second consecutive season, the Lakers had the opportunity to play spoilers on an opposing team’s “Ring Night,” and just like last year, they came up short.
The Lakers dropped their season opener to the defending champion Denver Nuggets, 119-107, at Ball Arena – a rematch of last spring’s Western Conference finals to kick off the 2023-24 NBA season.
The Lakers matched the Nuggets’ offensive firepower to start the game but struggled to consistently keep up with their shotmaking.
“They’re very sound in what they do and what they want to get to,” new Lakers forward Taurean Prince said. “It’s all about us being the same way defensively, staying alert, not being a step behind.”
And just like in last year’s four-game series sweep, the Lakers struggled to find consistent answers defending Nikola Jokić.
The Lakers tried different strategies against the two-time league MVP and reigning Finals MVP, including having Rui Hachimura guard Jokić and Anthony Davis guard Aaron Gordon during the second quarter.
But Jokić and the Nuggets kept finding answers for whatever the Lakers threw at them. Jokić led the Nuggets with a triple-double: 29 points (12-of-22 shooting), 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
Jamal Murray (21 points, six assists) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (20 points) also scored at least 20 for the Nuggets, and Aaron Gordon had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
The Nuggets also had a significant advantage in making the most of their second chances, outscoring the Lakers in that area 17-4.
“Anytime you have Jokic and Murray, they’re gonna be hard to guard,” Austin Reaves said. “Two very versatile, unselfish basketball players. But we just need to clean up a couple of things on the weak side and be able to scramble a little bit better, get to shooters, run them off the line. But tip your hat.”
The Lakers didn’t go down quietly.
They trimmed an 18-point second-quarter lead to single digits multiple times before the first half ended. They trailed by as many as 16 in the third quarter but trimmed the deficit to seven by the end of the quarter.
But the Nuggets’ continuity shined in the moments that mattered most, just as it did in the conference finals.
After the Lakers got within 92-89 with 9:42 left in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets went on an 11-2 run to open a comfortable 12-point lead midway through the quarter.
Each time the Lakers attempted to get back into the game, the Nuggets found an answer: a Murray 3-pointer; a Gordon dunk; a Michael Porter Jr. 3-pointer en route to a 12-point victory.
“We got to understand that if we don’t get back in transition, where they’re very good, and we don’t box out when they shoot the ball and give up second-chance points, they’re already too elite offensively,” LeBron James said. “So you’re allowing them easy baskets in transition and you’re allowing them easy putbacks on second-chance points. You can’t do that against them.”
James, beginning his 21st NBA season, led the Lakers with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes.
Davis had 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots but was scoreless in the second half (0 for 6 from the field, no free-throw attempts).
Lakers’ LeBron James sustaining self-motivation entering Year 21
“They started double-teaming,” Davis said. “They were trying to crowd the paint. I missed some easy layups around the rim and little jumpers. Just trying to make the right play, give it up to our guys. If I’m doubled, kick it out. Rui had an open 3, Gabe [Vincent] had open 3s. They just didn’t fall. But I got to shoot it more.”
Prince had 18 points in his Lakers debut, Reaves finished with 14 points and eight rebounds and D’Angelo Russell added 11 points as all five Lakers starters scored in double figures.
Tuesday was just one game – the first of an 82-game marathon from October through April.
But if the season opener can serve as a barometer for the Lakers, it’s clear they have plenty of work to do to compete with the team most expect to be the class of the conference.
“Obviously it’s the first game of the season and we have to get better at and improve,” Coach Darvin Ham said. “Against a team like that, you make any mistake or you come out flat, they are going to make you pay for it. So, our biggest thing, again, is meeting aggression with aggression. Some things we definitely could have controlled a little better offensively. But, it’s the first game. We’ll get better, trust me.”
“I mean I always want to be on the floor, especially when you got an opportunity to win a game or you feel like you can make an impact but I guess there’s a system in place and I’m going to follow it.” LeBron James discusses the plan of keeping his minutes down. pic.twitter.com/cMtltINxSl
Darvin Ham on tonight’s loss: “Against a team like that, you make any mistake and come out flat, they’re gonna make you pay for it.” pic.twitter.com/pIEctZU4LN
