The NBA season rarely turns on a single night, but some games carry more weight than others. Tuesday in Denver felt like one of them. The Los Angeles Lakers arrived at Ball Arena knowing they were opening an eight-game road trip that could either stabilize their season or expose its cracks. They left with a 115-107 comeback win over the Nuggets and a sense that this stretch might define who they are.
At 26-16, the Lakers sit firmly in the middle of a crowded Western Conference race. The margins are thin, the standings compressed, and momentum shifts quickly. Recent inconsistency had followed them into Denver, making the opening game of this road trip more than just another stop on the schedule. It was a measuring stick.
LeBron James appears to flip off the Nuggets’ bench
Early on, it looked like a long night. Denver built a 16-point lead, feeding off the altitude and home crowd. The Lakers struggled to find rhythm and trailed for much of the first half. But the game slowed as it wore on, and that shift played directly into the hands of LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
“Well, we take one game at a time. We’re 1-0 on an eight game road trip and we’ll continue that on Thursday, so we try to get the hell out of here as fast we can. Get back to LA for a day, day-and-a-half, and get out there Thursday and that’s game two of an eight game road trip so we prepare for each game as it’s own and we should be fine…
Lakers, Lebron, and Luka: A comeback built on control
Doncic delivered the night’s defining performance. He finished with 38 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, controlling the offense with patience and precision. Whether it was attacking the rim, drawing fouls, or finding open shooters, he dictated the game as the Lakers chipped away at the deficit and eventually took over.
James complemented him with a near triple-double of his own, posting 19 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. His impact went beyond the box score. When Denver threatened to regain momentum, James slowed the pace, organized the offense, and anchored the Lakers on the defensive end. His plus-13 rating reflected how steady the team looked with him on the floor.
The Lakers’ defense tightened after halftime, cutting off easy transition chances and forcing Denver into tougher looks. In the fourth quarter, Los Angeles outscored the Nuggets by playing cleaner basketball, getting to the free-throw line, and avoiding the rushed possessions that had hurt them earlier.
The significance of the win goes beyond the standings. Denver has long been a difficult place for the Lakers to play, especially when games turn physical and fast. Opening a demanding road trip with a comeback win in that environment sends a message internally and around the league.
“I mean it’s definitely important like I said, I’ve never been a part of a road trip that’s eight games, but it’s definitely very important to get the first one. It’s never easy to play here so the way we stayed together the whole game, it was impressive. And I think that builds us up…
There is little time to celebrate. Los Angeles returns briefly home before heading back out Thursday to face the Clippers, with the eight-game trip wrapping up in Brooklyn on February 3. With playoff positioning at stake every night, this win offers clarity. The Lakers are not just trying to survive this road swing. They are trying to shape their season with it.
