Lakers vs Nuggets final score, result: Nikola Jokic's triple-double powers Denver to ring night win over LA

Gilbert McGregor

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Lakers vs Nuggets final score, result: Nikola Jokic's triple-double powers Denver to ring night win over LA image

The defending champs opened the 2023-24 NBA season in fashion.

On a night when they received extravagant championship rings, the Nuggets earned a 119-107 victory over the Lakers. Denver's win was powered by Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, who finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists — the 106th triple-double of his career.

In addition to Jokic, Jamal Murray scored 21 points to go along with six assists while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope came up big with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field.

The Lakers were led by LeBron James, who scored 21 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Anthony Davis, who scored 17 points in the first half, was held scoreless in the second half, which proved to be too much for LA to overcome.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Lakers vs Nuggets.

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Lakers vs Nuggets final score

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Lakers 20 34 26 27 107
Nuggets 34 29 24 32 119

Lakers vs Nuggets final score, results from 2023 NBA opening night game

(All times Eastern.)

Final: Nuggets 119, Lakers 107

9:43 p.m.: It's looking like the Nuggets are going to take this one.

Michael Porter Jr. enters double figures on the night after draining a 3 to put Denver up by 14 points with just over three minutes remaining. With 10 points, Porter joins Nikola Jokic (27), Jamal Murray (21), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (20) and Aaron Gordon (15) in double figures.

LeBron James' 19 points lead the Lakers but Anthony Davis, who entered the half with 17 points, has yet to score in the second half.

Nuggets 113, Lakers 99

9:37 p.m.: Denver's keeping LA at arm's length, but the Lakers are staying persistent.

LeBron James is up to 19 points in the game after a layup that cut the deficit to seven points with 5:15 remaining in regulation. Timeout on the floor as the Nuggets will look to use this last segment of the game to pull away.

Nuggets 103, Lakers 96

9:28 p.m.: The Nuggets seem to have an answer every time the Lakers make things interesting.

An extended 13-0 run cut Denver's lead to three points but it has since responded, getting back out by seven points courtesy of a 3 from Nikola Jokic. Jokic is up to a game-high 25 points to go along with 13 rebounds and six assists.

LeBron James has matched Anthony Davis' team-high total with 17 points and Christian Wood has had some good moments off the bench. Timeout LA with 7:44 remaining in regulation.

Nuggets 97, Lakers 90

End of third quarter: Nuggets 87, Lakers 80

9:19 p.m.: After trailing by 16 points, the Lakers close the third quarter on a 9-0 run to enter the final frame down by just seven points.

Denver has seemingly been in command all night but LA has remained in striking distance, setting the scene for a potentially entertaining final frame.

LeBron James, who has 12 points through three quarters, could be saving his best for the final frame. Anthony Davis went cold in the third and hasn't scored in the second half.

Nikola Jokic also went cold in the third, where he added just three points to his tally.

If the stars bounce back, the finish could be entertaining.

9:14 p.m.: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is one of a number of Nuggets stepping up tonight. 

KCP is up to 16 points (on 6-of-10 shooting) and has made a few big plays in the second half. Jamal Murray also has 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting but has also added five assists.

Nikola Jokic is on triple-double watch with 22 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.

The Lakers are still looking for more from their supporting cast but Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura have made a few plays in the third quarter.

Nuggets 87, Lakers 75

9:08 p.m.: And the Nuggets lead is back out to double digits.

Aaron Gordon scores in the post to put Denver ahead by 11 points. Gordon is up to 10 points to go along with five rebounds and five assists in the game. Nikola Jokic leads all scorers with 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds and five assists.

For the Lakers, Anthony Davis is still sitting on 17 points while Taurean Prince is up to 15 points in the game. LeBron James has yet to score in the second half and still has 10 points in the game,

Nuggets 80, Lakers 69

9:04 p.m.: Aaron Gordon, hello!

Denver extends its lead back out to eight points after Gordon finishes an alley-oop from Jamal Murray. It's not without controversy, however, as LeBron James took exception to Gordon seemingly grabbing the rim to aid in his finish.

The play strands.

Nuggets 75, Lakers 67

8:51 p.m.: The Lakers begin the second half on a mission.

Quick buckets from Austin Reaves and Taurean Prince allow LA to chip further away at the deficit and Michael Malone calls for a timeout 58 seconds into the third quarter.

Nuggets 63, Lakers 58

Halftime: Nuggets 63, Lakers 54

8:34 p.m.: After trailing by as many as 18 points, the Lakers enter the half down single digits but the Nuggets still seem to be in command.

As up and down as the half has been, Nikola Jokic (19), Anthony Davis (17) and LeBron James (10) are the only players that have reached double figures in scoring.

Among halftime stats, a few are notable: Denver is shooting 7 of 17 from 3 while LA is 4 of 13. The Lakers have committed 12 fouls while the Nuggets have committed just three.

8:27 p.m.: The half is winding down and the Lakers are trying to chip away at the deficit, but they have their work cut out.

For LA, it's been a lot of Anthony Davis. Davis is up to a team-high 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting while LeBron James has eight points.

On the other side, Nikola Jokic has certainly looked like an MVP with 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. have each scored seven points.

Denver leads by 12 with 2:07 remaining in the half.

Nuggets 60, Lakers 48

8:12 p.m.: Timeout on the floor after LeBron James gets to the rim yet again. James is up to eight points for the night and is 4 of 7 from the field. 

Denver's still in command, but James is starting to become engaged.

On the other side, the Nuggets are having fun out there. Reggie Jackson's got eight points off the bench and Jamal Murray has drawn a few fouls on Gabe Vincent — Murray hasn't been shy about letting him hear it, either.

Denver leads by 16 with 8:09 left in the half.

Nuggets 42, Lakers 26

8:08 p.m.: We've got a quick break in action to start the quarter as LeBron James has a nosebleed from taking a hit on a drive.

The Nuggets just won't quit.

Denver's applying pressure and leads by 18 points early in the frame.

Nuggets 42, Lakers 24

End of first quarter: Nuggets 34, Lakers 20

8 p.m.: Reggie Jackson drains a triple ahead of the buzzer and Denver takes a 14-point lead into the second quarter.

Led by Nikola Jokic's 10 points, the Nuggets are shooting 14 of 23 (60.9 percent) from the field. They've assisted on eight of their 14 made field goals.

The Lakers, who are shooting 8 of 25 (32.0 percent) from the field, are struggling offensively. After Anthony Davis and Taurean Prince each scored six early points, they've been held scoreless. LA has not gotten any scoring from its reserves yet.

LeBron James, who is in his 21st season, has four points, two assists and two rebounds on 2-of-4 shooting.

7:52 p.m.: The Lakers have cooled off but the Nuggets are picking up right where they left off to close last season.

After starting off 3 of 3, LA has missed 12 of its last 16 shot attempts and is an icy 7 of 19 from the field. Denver, which is on an 11-2 scoring run, is shooting 65.0 percent from the field.

Nikola Jokic is having a field day early with 10 points, five rebounds and two assists. Timeout Lakers with 2:50 left in the first quarter.

Nuggets 29, Lakers 18

7:42 p.m.: Whew, it's been a high-octane start in the Mile High City.

At the first break of the action, the Nuggets are out to a four-point lead behind Nikola Jokic, who has six points, three rebounds and an assist. The Lakers are led by Anthony Davis and Taurean Prince, who have each scored six points apiece.

Timeout on the floor with 6:07 left in the first.

Nuggets 20, Lakers 16

7:37 p.m.: The Lakers win the tip and get on the board first thanks to a booming finish from Anthony Davis.

The 2023-24 NBA season is underway.

Pregame

7:10 p.m.: It's ring ceremony time at Ball Arena and the Nuggets' rings are quite impressive. Take a look at the rings in all of their glory.

7 p.m.: Starting for the Lakers: D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Starting for the Nuggets: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic.

6:30 p.m.: The stars are out for ring night. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders is on hand to catch the Lakers and Nuggets in person.

6 p.m.:The Lakers will be without Jarred Vanderbilt, who is dealing with soreness in his left heel. Rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino is also a no-go for LA as he has not played since Oct. 13 due to a right patella contusion.

What channel is Lakers vs Nuggets on?

Lakers vs Nuggets will air on TNT. Viewers can also stream the game on Watch TNT or Sling TV.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2023-24 NBA season on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Sling base packages (Sling Orange or Sling Blue) start at just $20 for your first month, or you can get Sling Orange + Blue starting at $27.50 for your first month. There are no long-term contracts, and you can change your channel lineup anytime. DVR is included along with thousands of on-demand shows and movies.

Lakers vs Nuggets start time

  • Date: Tuesday, Oct. 24
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT

Lakers vs Nuggets will tip off around 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 24. The game will be played at Ball Arena in Denver.

Lakers schedule 2023-24

Here are Los Angeles' first five games of the 2023-24 regular season:

Date Opponent Time (ET) TV channel
Oct. 24 at Nuggets 7:30 p.m. TNT
Oct. 26 vs Suns 10 p.m. TNT
Oct. 29 at Kings 9 p.m. —
Oct. 30 vs Magic 10:30 p.m. NBA TV
Nov. 1 vs Clippers 10 p.m. ESPN

Nuggets schedule 2023-24

Here are Denver's first five games of the 2023-24 regular season:

Date Opponent Time (ET) TV channel
Oct. 24 vs Lakers 7:30 p.m. TNT
Oct. 27 at Grizzlies 7 p.m. —
Oct. 29 at Thunder 3:30 p.m. —
Oct. 30 vs Jazz 9 p.m. —
Nov. 1 at Timberwolves 8 p.m. —

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.