By Daniel Paiz
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 119-107, as the champs are back where they left off from the 2023 NBA Finals. The NBA season tipped off in the Mile High City on a national stage as the NBA on TNT were present and providing commentary and insight. Prior to tip-off, Denver delivered massive NBA Championship rings to players from the 2023 roster. After this exciting and emotion-filled presentation, everyone in attendance and watching from home witnessed the raising of the Denver Nuggets 2023 NBA Champions banner.
It was the realization of a beautiful, hard-earned 2023 season for the Denver ballclub. Over 47 years yet again culminated in that regal banner swaying slightly as it arose into the heavenly rafters of Ball Arena. The players had to be enjoying this differently than the fans in attendance, but nevertheless it was quite a moment. After that, some basketball happened, and four quarters of competition unfurled.
Breaking down the 119-107 victory
Denver came out fired up from the pregame ceremonies, racking up a 34-20 lead after the first quarter. Nikola Jokic looked to be in midseason form, and the Nuggets had solid defense on the visiting Lakers. There was also a bit of the past being revisited in the first quarter, as Jokic did a lot of the scoring, and Los Angeles couldn’t really seem to get going.
The second and third quarters were much more bountiful for the visitors, largely due to Anthony Davis finding the basket after not being involved much in the first. Taurean Prince (18 points) and Lebron James (21 points) were the only two guys really scoring for LA throughout. Denver also lapsed in focus during these quarters; the defense wasn’t doling out any kind of pressure, and the turnovers were unnecessary. The fourth quarter returned to form in terms of effort, focus, and passing the ball around. Defense turned into offense for the Nuggets.
As the fourth quarter ticked away, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had somehow scored 20 points. Aaron Gordon had managed to wrangle 15 points via alley-oops, hard-fought layups, and a few shots outside the paint. Michael Porter Jr. had a bad shooting percentage night but scraped together 12 points and 12 rebounds. Jamal Murray had fought through pesky and at-times foul defense from Lakers’ guards to amass 21 points; and, ever the consummate professional, Nikola Jokic notched a triple-double of 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. The bench added a much needed 22 points, eight of which landed from Reggie Jackson. Denver pulled together and made this truly a team win.
Denver’s assists, steals, and blocks were the items that kept Los Angeles at bay. The Lakers outrebounded the defending champs and had more points in the paint. However, Denver’s shooters showed up, and the home crowd provided that resounding cry of approval that gave the home team a little something extra.
Final Word
This night was special for every single Nuggets fan, whether they were in the stands like I was or watching from home, a bar, or elsewhere. A celebratory mood ruminated throughout the arena, and despite the crass chants towards the end of the fourth quarter, fan behavior was largely jovial and welcoming. I didn’t really witness much interaction between Nuggets and Lakers fans, outside of friend groups giving each other grief. There was a similar feeling to the NBA Finals, a realization of the history being made. The Denver Nuggets are 2023 NBA Champions, and now it’s time to tackle the pressure-filled task of repeating as champs. In the wise words of Shaquille O’Neal, to all of the Denver Nuggets fans out there, I leave you with these words after a historically fun night: VOLIM TE!
Cypher Sessions 