Lakers fall to Nuggets 62-55 in preseason finale without three key players
Los Angeles lost its last tune-up to Denver at Crypto.com Arena while Collin Sexton, Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr all sat out.
The Lakers are trending because they just closed out their preseason at home against the Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena and lost, 62-55, while missing three players who matter. Collin Sexton, Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr were all held out, according to Jovan Buha.
Denver controlled the game from the start, taking a 36-22 lead through the first two periods before Los Angeles cut into it in the second half. The Lakers never caught up.
What happened in the box score
Denver shot 59 percent from the field on 23-of-39 attempts and hit 6 of 15 three-pointers. Los Angeles shot 46 percent, going 18 of 39 with 8 of 19 from three. The Lakers actually out-rebounded the Nuggets 24-22, including a 6-4 edge on the offensive glass, and shot better from the free-throw line, 73 percent to 66 percent.
Denver won the turnover battle, forcing 10 Lakers turnovers while giving up only 8, and out-assisted Los Angeles 16-12. The Nuggets also had the edge in steals, 8 to 5, and blocks, 5 to 3. Personal fouls were close, 13 for Denver and 12 for the Lakers.
Why three Lakers were sitting
None of this preseason has been healthy for Los Angeles. Sexton did not play in a single exhibition game, Thiero missed a contest earlier in the week, and Carr sat out the previous two games before all three were ruled out again for the Nuggets game.
Sexton's absence matters because of what he is supposed to provide this season: ball handling, pace and instant offense that can take pressure off Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. His career averages are 18.3 points on 47.2 percent shooting from the field and 38.9 percent from three, with 3.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.3 turnovers in 29 minutes a game. The Lakers have struggled with turnovers all preseason, and Sexton is one of the players expected to help with that.
Carr and Thiero are two of the young players fans have been watching closely. Carr opened the preseason with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, and Thiero has shown flashes of athleticism on both ends when he has been on the floor.
What comes next
The preseason finale against Denver is the last tune-up before games count. The Lakers now get four full days off before opening the regular season at home against the Golden State Warriors.
Denver has been a difficult matchup for Los Angeles over the past few years, and this loss closes the preseason with the same shooting and turnover issues the Lakers have dealt with throughout the exhibition slate.
Facts per Yahoo Sports, theScore, ESPN box score. Opinion is the taproom's.