The usual lineups just weren’t working, so head coach Luke Walton decided to simply stitch one together.
The resulting makeshift unit — featuring Lou Williams, Jordan Clarkson, Nick Young, Brandon Ingram
and Ivica Zubac — performed admirably, nearly bringing the Lakers back from a 19-point deficit, though they eventually fell to Denver, 127-121.
After days of preaching to his team about finding the joy that they played with when they were winning at the beginning of the season, Walton said his players met that expectation Tuesday night.
“We found it,” Walton said. “We found our passion, our fight, our togetherness (and were) playing for one another. We saw it firsthand there. What an effort those guys gave. … I was really proud of the way that we fought and didn’t give into the easy temptation of just calling it a night and being down (19) and going home.”
Walton said that the fourth quarter — in which the Lakers outscored the Nuggets 37-26 — showed that they can compete, even if they are facing disadvantages in size, health or talent.
Denver (17-23) rushed out to a 40-26 lead by the end of the first quarter and never trailed from there. Nikola Jokic — who led his team with 29 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks — scored 15 points in the third quarter alone to put Los Angeles down by 17 entering the fourth.
However, the Lakers (15-31) made some moves in the middle of the period, beginning with an 11-2 run — led by pairs of 3-pointers and assists from Lou Williams — to cut Denver’s lead to 116-114 with about three minutes left.
Soon after, Williams — who scored 14 of his team-high 24 points in the fourth — found Jordan Clarkson open for a 3-pointer that brought the deficit to just one with 1:52 remaining.
However, Denver quickly built its advantage back up to five, cooling the Lakers’ comeback attempt and sending them to their fifth straight loss.
Williams’ scoring was supplemented by Nick Young (22 points, four 3-pointers), while rookie Ivica Zubac took advantage of the most playing time of his young career, collecting 11 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks in 26 minutes.
Clarkson added 19 points while rookie Brandon Ingram had 15 starting in place of Luol Deng, who was announced before the game as out indefinitely with a sprained right wrist.
Tarik Black also provided 14 points and eight rebounds (six offensive) in 20 minutes.
But Jokic and friends had even more firepower, as he, Will Barton (26 points, eight assists) and Kenneth Faried (20 points, 9-of-10 field goals) were three of six Nuggets who scored at least 14 points.
“We were so used to winning in the beginning of the season that I think (losing) always leaves a sick feeling,” Ingram said. “But we made progress tonight and want to build off this one.”
Attack of the L.A. Zu
Since being drafted 32nd overall in June, Zubac had played more games for the D-League’s Los Angeles D-Fenders than the Lakers.
However, the 19-year-old wasn’t blindsided by the success he found against Denver.
“I’m not surprised,” Zubac said. “I’ve been working all season. … Working really hard. I was just waiting for my chance. I’m not surprised.”
Perhaps Nuggets coach Mike Malone was, though, as he stopped the 19-year-old after the game to let him know how impressed he was by his performance.
“I’m trying to prove I’m not in this league just as a bench guy who’s gonna do little stuff around,” Zubac said. “I’m trying to prove I’m a good player and that I can help my team. And I’m trying to be the best player I can.”
Zubac hauled in five rebounds on the offensive glass as part of his first career double-double in just his 11th game.
He had enjoyed success with the Lakers’ Summer League team in July, which he claimed was “too easy.”
Perhaps the most lasting impression he made over the summer was on Young, who was initially taken aback by Zubac’s combination of size, mobility and ability to hit a floater.
“I was like, ‘Who is this guy?’” Young said. “I went back and told my friends, ’Man, this guy’s gonna be good. He’s gonna be special.’”
Notes
Lakers legend Magic Johnson watched the game with co-owner and Team President Jeanie Buss. … The Lakers wore Showtime throwback uniforms to honor Johnson’s 1987 championship team. … With this win, the Nuggets moved into the eighth seed in the Western Conference. … Denver shot 56.8 percent from the field and scored 68 points in the paint. … An audience of 18,412 attended at Staples Center.