JJ Redick denied that the LA Lakers’ dismal record against the Denver Nuggets was playing in their mind when they lost yet again to the same side in their first meeting of the NBA 2024-25 season. The Lakers were thoroughly outplayed, losing 127-102 to make one of the more uglier losses of the season.

Speaking to the media in the aftermath, Redick didn’t dwell too much on the past record but instead focused on a key factor that cost them the game. Per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:

JJ Redick: “It was not because we were haunted by the ghosts of the past … Just not the right [competitive] spirit”

LA have now lost 13 of their last 14 games against the Nuggets. This includes a 4-0 sweep in the 2023 Western Conference Finals and a 4-1 first-round playoff exit in the 2024 NBA playoffs.

On the game front, Austin Reaves led the Lakers with a team-high 19 points. LeBron James had 18 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. Anthony Davis ended with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Nikola Jokic’s 34 points did the Lakers in and he found able support from Michael Porter Jr. (24 points), while guards Christian Braun and Jamal Murray chipped in with 16 and 14 points respectively.

Austin Reaves echoes JJ Redick’s thoughts after woeful loss

The same press conference also saw Austin Reaves lament the Lakers’ missing competitive spirit. The guard didn’t mince words as he let out an NSFW response when dissecting the loss.

“Tonight they beat the s**t out of us.”

Despite a strong start, the Lakers were undone as their offense that’s been their biggest strength this season went missing. They also had no idea how to stop Jokic as the center destroyed them in the paint and also caused a good amount of damage from beyond the arc. Michael Porter Jr. seemed to find another gear as well as he punished the Lakers with a barrage of buckets.

The Lakers find themselves navigating rough waters again with two consecutive losses. LA will go back to the drawing board with the two stinging defeats as their challenging stretch of games continues.

Their next couple of games are against the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs — two teams that are looking to get back in contention. It remains to be seen whether JJ Redick, LeBron James and Austin Reaves can pull the Lakers back to winning ways.