Something was going to change for the Los Angeles Lakers as a result of Sunday’s game against the Denver Nuggets. Option No. 1 was that the Lakers would win their first game. Option No. 2 was that the Lakers, who were the NBA’s lone winless team heading into the game at 0-5, would be 0-6. Fortunately for Los Angeles and its fans, Option No. 1 played out.
The Nuggets led the Lakers 31-26 after the first quarter. Los Angeles, though, took a 55-51 lead at halftime. Denver retook the lead in the third quarter, leading 83-75 at one point. But the Lakers fought back to take a 93-85 lead heading into the fourth quarter and remained in control throughout the final 12 minutes, winning 121-110.
It's happened. The Lakers finally have a win.pic.twitter.com/XUsNmAaegX
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 31, 2022
As the score suggests, things went well for the Lakers. LeBron James led both teams with 26 points, adding six rebounds and eight assists. Anthony Davis had a double-double, scoring 23 points with 15 rebounds. Russell Westbrook even had a nice game coming off of the bench. He scored 18 points while shooting 6-for-12 from the field, 2-for-4 on threes and 4-for-4 on free throws. Westbrook was also +18 on the night, leading both teams in that category.
Furthermore, the relationship between Westbrook and the home crowd was vastly improved.
It’s safe to say that this was a therapeutic victory for the Lakers and their fans. Many of those fans, as well as others in the NBA world, took to Twitter to comment on Los Angeles finally pulling a win out.
https://t.co/5kOh43hhXB pic.twitter.com/gUX0W0bwCZ
— Spenser Tilus (@Spenser_Tilus) October 31, 2022
the drought is over
https://t.co/aTRJXAZkxf — Keion R. (@KeionRussell) October 31, 2022
The Lakers and their fans will have two days to enjoy this win before their next game. That will be on Wednesday, November 2 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
[Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Corvo]