![\"Lakers](\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/t_share\/MjEzNTY0NTkzNjk4NTE0Mzgz\/usatsi_25700527.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Los Angeles Lakers (42-25) are treading water without LeBron James (groin), as they’ve won two straight contests and sit fourth place in the Western Conference, just one game behind the Denver Nuggets (44-25) and Houston Rockets (44-25).<\/p>\n
Their next matchup is a home date with the Nuggets on Wednesday night, which is a prime opportunity to rise the standings.<\/p>\n
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Los Angeles is 1-2 against Denver this season but lost just 131-126 without James in an away clash on March 14.<\/p>\n
The Nuggets sat Nikola Jokic (elbow, ankle) and Jamal Murray (ankle) in their 114-105 win over the Golden State Warriors (39-29) on Monday, and Lakers fans theorized that they were resting them to prepare for Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The Warriors are currently in sixth place, so they’re less of a threat. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook. Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images NBA stars sitting out of games is one of the league’s biggest controversies, especially when it involves a Nuggets-Lakers matchup.<\/p>\n
Denver announced Jokic as questionable for Wednesday, in addition to several others, which is fueling Los Angeles fans’ suspicions. “Jamal Murray and Jokic are both questionable for their game 7 after missing last game,” Lakers Muse tweeted.<\/p>\n
Jamal Murray and Jokic are both questionable for their game 7 after missing last game pic.twitter.com\/I2zaH7ecpv \u2014 Lakers Muse (@LALMuse) March 19, 2025 “Should’ve read ‘Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic both listed as Unquestionable to play for Wednesday,'” @kooooobbbbeeeee said. “I will bet my house that they both play,” @HuskiesJack said. Even Lakers Nation reporter Trevor Lane fueled the speculation.<\/p>\n
Do we buy it?<\/p>\n
pic.twitter.com\/oyk68D91JA \u2014 Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) March 19, 2025 Even if Jokic and Murray sit, the Nuggets are still dangerous, as they proved on Monday.<\/p>\n
Aaron Gordon tallied 38 points (14-23 FG, 4-6 3 PT) with six rebounds and three assists, while Russell Westbrook notched 12 points (5-18 FG, 2-9 3 PT) with 12 rebounds, 16 assists, three steals, and two blocks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Los Angeles Lakers (42-25) are treading water without LeBron James (groin), as they’ve won two straight contests and sit fourth place in the Western Conference, just… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":44627,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44619","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\n