In Game 2 of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a devastating collapse, squandering a substantial lead and ultimately losing 101-99. Despite holding a commanding 15-point advantage at halftime and leading by 10 heading into the fourth quarter, the Lakers found themselves unable to maintain their momentum.
The Nuggets mounted a remarkable comeback in the final quarter, going on a 22-8 run to narrow the deficit to just five points. As the game approached its conclusion, the lead changed hands multiple times, with the Lakers briefly holding a two-point advantage following a layup by LeBron James.
However, Jamal Murray of the Nuggets tied the game with a clutch shot, and then secured the victory with a buzzer-beating jumper after the Lakers’ last-ditch attempt fell short.
Following the heartbreaking loss, NBA fans and analysts took to social media to express their astonishment and criticism of the Lakers’ collapse. Many highlighted the team’s repeated failures in maintaining leads against the Nuggets, while others pointed fingers at individual players, particularly LeBron James, for missed opportunities in critical moments.
The loss marked the Lakers’ second consecutive defeat in the series, putting them at a 0-2 deficit. With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the pressure mounted on the Lakers to regroup and bounce back as the series shifted to Los Angeles for Game 3.
The familiarity of Monday night’s collapse echoed a similar scenario in the previous game, where the Lakers also relinquished a double-digit lead before ultimately losing. Denver’s dominance over the Lakers in recent playoff matchups added to the sense of urgency for Los Angeles to reverse their fortunes.
As the series headed to Los Angeles for Game 3, the Lakers faced a pivotal moment in their postseason campaign. With their season on the line, they needed to find a way to overcome their recent collapses and turn the tide against a resilient Denver Nuggets team.
