The Nuggets eliminated the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals last season in a 4–0 sweep, and apparently Los Angeles still has Denver on its mind heading into the 2023–24 season.
Multiple Lakers stars, like Anthony Davis, have noted that their opening matchup against the Nuggets on Oct. 24 is on the forefront of their minds. Nuggets coach Michael Malone didn’t seem bothered by these comments when he was asked about the pre-game trash talk on Wednesday.
“Oh, they're talking about us? That was what, four months ago?” Malone said, via ESPN. “I can’t speak for anybody in L.A. But if they’re still worried about us, that’s on them.