Recap: Lakers Drop Preseason Finale To Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers concluded their preseason schedule with a 121-106 defeat against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night. A slow start allowed Denver to build an early double-digit lead, though Los Angeles rallied to cut the deficit to 62-55 by halftime. The loss brought the Lakers' preseason record to 2-3 under head coach JJ Redick.

Luka Doncic led Los Angeles with 15 points and Ziaire Williams added 14 before both sat out the entire second half. Cameron Johnson was ejected in the third quarter following a Flagrant 2 foul on Austin Reaves. Despite late scoring bursts from Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes, the Lakers could not mount a comeback and will next host the Golden State Warriors in their regular-season opener.