Player Grades: Lakers vs. Nuggets
Briefly

The Lakers lost to the Nuggets once more, yet the game felt different than previous encounters. Unlike past games, where a Nuggets victory seemed inevitable, the Lakers put up a formidable fight despite a makeshift lineup, missing 80% of their starters. Strong defensive plays and contributions from role players indicated a resilience that stood out in the loss. Notably, Dalton Knecht excelled with 32 points, stepping up in the absence of others, while Jarred Vanderbilt showed impressive defense against Jokic, reflecting the depth and potential of the Lakers' roster.
Considering he was asked to defend Jokic for stretches of this game, you could hardly expect more from Vando. He was active defensively and in the right place at vital moments.
For the Lakers, the absence of key players created both challenges and opportunities, and the performance of role players underscored their potential even in defeat.
Read at Silver Screen and Roll
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