The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets will face off Thursday night at Ball Arena with both teams managing key injuries.
Los Angeles lists Maxi Kleber as questionable with back soreness, while the Nuggets will be without Aaron Gordon, Spencer Jones, Curtis Jones, and Peyton Watson. Cameron Johnson is also questionable due to right ankle inflammation.
For the Lakers, Luka Doncic leads the squad, averaging 32.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game. Austin Reaves contributes 23.8 points with 5.4 assists, and LeBron James adds 21.6 points per contest. Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura provide additional inside scoring and rebounding support. Kleber’s status will influence rotation minutes, particularly in the frontcourt.
Denver will rely heavily on Nikola Jokic, who averages 28.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game, and Jamal Murray, contributing 25.7 points with 7.3 assists. The absence of Gordon and Watson reduces the team’s scoring and defensive versatility, while Johnson’s availability remains uncertain. Christian Braun and Tim Hardaway Jr. will need to fill offensive gaps.
The Lakers enter Thursday with a three-game winning streak, having defeated Sacramento 128-104 and the New Orleans Pelicans 110-101.
Denver is coming off a 128-125 road win over the Utah Jazz and a 108-117 home loss to Minnesota, holding a 38-24 record in the Western Conference. The two teams previously met on January 20, with the Lakers securing a 115-107 road victory in Denver.
The game tips off at 10:00 PM ET, with Ball Arena hosting the Western Conference clash.
