The NBA season may have begun, but the first game we saw looks a lot like the first game we saw last year. In the 2023 Western Conference finals, the Denver Nuggets easily beаt the Los Angeles Lakers. On the first night of the 2023–24 season, they beаt their purple-and-gold rivals again by a score of 119–107. As you might expect, two-time MVP Nikola Jokic led the way. He got his first triple-double of the season with 29 points, 11 assists, and 13 rebounds.

The Lakers lost in a way that was like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Tony Davis, the Lakers’ star big man, scored 17 points in the first half but nothing in the second. The Lakers won by seven points when LeBron James was on the court and lost by 19 points when he was off. The supporting cast they worked hard to improve last season was mostly quiet, but Taurean Prince, a new player, stood out with 18 points and four 3-pointers.

For the Lakers, things aren’t going to get any better because on Thursday they play the loaded Phoenix Suns. On the other hand, the Nuggets will go to Memphis on Friday to play the Grizzlies. The Lakers are already behind the defending champions after just one game of the new season. 

About two minutes ago, the game was tied at seven points. They now have a 14-point lead over the runner-up. There are a little more than three minutes left in the game, and the Lakers have no chance of getting back into it. The defending champions should start the season with a win at home.