Nuggets open regular season with a rematch against Lakers

Denver’s title defense begins on Tuesday as they face off against the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena. This matchup carries significant weight as the two teams met in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, with Denver emerging victorious in a four-game sweep.

The excitement kicks off with the Ring Night and Banner Raising ceremony, which you can read more about here. Following the celebrations, the ball will be tipped, officially marking the start of Denver’s 2023-24 season.

But first, let’s take a look at the injury report for both teams:

Los Angeles:
Jalen Hood-Schifino — OUT (Right Patella Contusion)
Jarred Vanderbilt — OUT (Left Heel Soreness)
Colin Castleton — OUT (G-League Assignment)
Alex Fudge — OUT (G-League Assignment)
D’Moi Hodge — OUT (G-League Assignment)

Denver:
Vlatko Čančar — OUT (Left Knee Surgery)
Jay Huff — OUT (Right Rib Fracture)
Michael Porter Jr. — PROBABLE (Left Ankle Sprain)

The Lakers have made significant changes to their roster during the offseason, as detailed in our second edition of the offseason series, ‘Matchups.’ General manager Rob Pelinka has brought in several new players, including Gabe Vincent, Christian Wood, Taurean Prince, Jaxxon Hayes, Cam Reddish, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Maxwell Lewis.

Prince had an outstanding preseason, shooting 45.8 percent from three-point range in five games. Hayes also impressed, with a remarkable 85.7 percent field goal percentage. Overall, the Lakers ended the preseason with a 2-4 record.

The matchups between the Lakers and Nuggets are always highly anticipated, given their playoff history and the significance of Opening Night. Nikola Jokić and Anthony Davis, two of the league’s premier big men, will undoubtedly be central to the contest. In their previous encounter in the Conference Finals, Jokić displayed exceptional comfort, averaging 12.8 points and 6.3 assists while shooting over 50 percent when defended by Davis.

On the defensive end, Jokić effectively limited Davis, who shot nearly 5 percentage points lower when guarded by Jokić compared to his overall postseason average. Additionally, Jamal Murray posed a significant challenge for the Lakers, averaging an impressive 32.5 points per game in the series.

One key focus for Los Angeles in the season opener will be finding a solution to Denver’s potent two-man game between Jokić and Murray, which proved to be extremely effective in the postseason.

Keep an eye on Julian Strawther for the Nuggets, as he had an impressive preseason, showcasing his scoring ability and shooting efficiency. The rookie, selected 29th overall in this year’s draft, seems to be a perfect fit for Denver’s offensive system. Tuesday will mark his NBA debut, and he’ll be eager to make an impact.

Finally, Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun will be players to watch. Both missed the preseason due to injuries, but Porter Jr. has expressed his readiness for the season opener, while Braun is returning from a calf contusion.

Moreover, the altitude of Denver could potentially play a role in the game. The Nuggets were nearly unbeatable at home during the postseason, and head coach Michael Malone attributed their success to the change in elevation. For the Lakers, not only is this their first game of the season, but they also have to adapt to playing approximately 4,975 feet higher than their home court at the Crypto.com Arena.

TUNE-IN: Catch the action on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. MT, live on TNT and 92.5FM