Magic Johnson has picked out five reasons why the LA Lakers lost Game 1 of their play-off series with the Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena on Tuesday night.
After seeing off 2022 champions the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers faced off with the Nuggets in a bid to reach their second NBA finals in three years. Game 1 did not go to plan for LeBron James and co though, as the home side edged out the Lakers 132-126 to take an early upper hand.
The LA-based franchise more than held their own throughout the four quarters, but a fast first half start from the Nuggets proved to be enough to secure an opening game victory.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham will be required to return to the drawing board ahead of game two, but NBA legend Johnson pinpointed exactly where the game was lost. Taking to social media, the former Lakers man hailed the influence of Nikola Jovic and Jamal Murray, as well as the Nuggets' team effort.
He tweeted: "Laker Nation, Nikola Jokić dominated the Lakers and finished with a 34 point, 21 rebound, 14 assist triple double. He had a lot of help from Murray who scored 31 points. Overall, it was a great team effort by the Nuggets to beat our Lakers."
Soon after, Johnson also went on to praise the home side's ability to score points on the break and win the rebound battle. The 63-year-old Hall of Fame member added: "The Nuggets controlled the boards and fast break points."
The Lakers now face an uphill task to get themselves back into the series, and will be looking to do so in Game 2 on Thursday as they return to the Ball Arena. One man who is confident his team can back themselves back into the tie is Lakers great James.
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As a result the 38-year-old had a strong warning for the Nuggets, claiming he and his teammates will definitely improve come Thursday evening. "We'll be better," James insisted. "We know we didn't play up to our capabilities in the first half, but you know we'll be better in game two, that's for sure.
"In the postseason, it doesn't matter if you cut it to one or you're down 20, if you lose, you lose. They are 1-0, and we have to come back with desperation going into game two. We have to play better, we have to rebound better. We need to be better in all facets of the game."
