In the game, the Lakers had many main forces missing, including James, Doncic, etc., but under the leadership of Reaves, the whole team fought hard and the full health of the Denver Nuggets until the final moments. Although they ultimately failed to break the news due to critical errors, their performance was worthy of honour.
It was a game at stake for the second place in the Western Conference and the final game of a four-game trip for the Lakers. With James out with a groin injury, Doncic on back-to-back rests and as many as eight players missing, the Lakers had to play with the Nuggets,
However, this is the kind of residual Lakers who, in the first quarter of the game played an unexpected offensive performance. Reaves became the core of the team, he not only made contributions from the three-point line for the Lakers but also sent five rebounds and seven assists in a single quarter, successfully rejuvenating the whole team, so that everyone could participate in the attack, under the leadership of Reaves, the Lakers scored 40 points in a single quarter, once led the Nuggets by 11 points, to the home game of the Nuggets.
In the second quarter of the game, the Lakers actively fought, by cutting off the Denver Nuggets’ passing ball, forcing opponents to rely on their ability to attack and score. Despite the shortage of personnel, the Lakers always kept up with the Denver Nuggets on both ends of the court. Jokic scored 10 points in a row, but Reaves helped the Lakers to keep up with the score. He drove 2+1 and continued to play for the Lakers from beyond the arc, scoring eight straight points to cut the lead to four heading into the second half,
The Nuggets’ backcourt gradually found its offensive touch and built a lead by shooting from the perimeter, stretching the lead to 13 points at one point. But the Lakers’ role players didn’t give up and continued to work hard on the court and guard Jokic. The Lakers ran and played a good defensive response, successfully closing the gap to three points entering the fourth quarter.
At the end of the quarter, the Nuggets’ offence was suddenly shut down, and Knecht scored six straight points to help the Lakers rally. The Nuggets went 3 minutes and 49 seconds without a point before Watson’s dunk broke the deadlock and the Lakers returned for consecutive 3-pointers to take a six-point lead. Jokic stepped up to the plate and combined for a 9-1 run to take the lead. Reaves made two free throws to tie the game again, Murray hit a key 3-pointer, Braun stole a fast-break dunk, Knecht answered with a 3-pointer, and Gordon made two free throws for a foul.
When it mattered, the Lakers didn’t give up. Reaves led the Lakers on a 7-0 run with 52.1 seconds to go, but Jokic tied it on a 2-and-1, and after Reaves’ jumper failed, Murray returned for the game-winning 3-pointer with 5.6 seconds left. Despite losing to Denver with a missed serve, Reeves had 37 points, eight rebounds, 13 assists and four steals in a stunning performance that kept the Lakers humming,
