The competition between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers has developed to be one of the most interesting in the history of the NBA. The two teams have been competing over the years in regular season games and in playoffs that have given memorable moments to their fans and have defined the competitive environment of the league. Since buzzer-beaters, to the dominance of star players, every game has been adding a new chapter to their common history.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive Lakers vs Denver Nuggets timeline, detailing key scores, standout performances, and historic milestones. This timeline will help you to have a clear understanding of how the rivalry has evolved and the most memorable moments in NBA history, whether you are a long-time fan or a newcomer to the history of the NBA.
Historical Overview of Lakers vs Nuggets Rivalry
The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets have a long history of rivalry that began in the late 1970s when the two teams had their initial playoff in 1979. In the same show, the Lakers barely beat the Nuggets in a first-round best-of-three series, which would be the beginning of a huge rivalry in the postseason.
In the past, the Lakers have prevailed in the rivalry with a 26-16 playoff series edge over the Nuggets. Nevertheless, the situation started to change in recent years. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, 4-0, becoming the first in the history of the sport to win a playoff series against Los Angeles and marking a change of power.
The levels of their contests have been increased and both teams often encounter each other during postseason. It is worth noting that they met in the 2024 Western Conference First Round, with the Nuggets winning the series by a margin of 4 to 1. These matches have seen some of the best performances by such stars as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, and Jamal Murray, which only contributes to the competition.
The timeline of Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets provides an intriguing insight into the development of one of the most interesting rivalries in the NBA, both to fans and analysts.
Regular Season Matchups Timeline
Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets have had many encounters in the regular season and every match contributes to the history of the rivalry between these two teams. The following is a chronological account of some of their memorable regular season games:
| Date | Venue | Lakers Score | Nuggets Score | Key Highlights |
| Oct 24, 2023 | Ball Arena | 107 | 119 | Nuggets dominate early; Lakers struggle to catch up. |
| Feb 8, 2024 | Crypto.com Arena | 106 | 114 | Jamal Murray leads with 29 points; Nuggets hold off late Lakers surge. |
| Mar 2, 2024 | Crypto.com Arena | 114 | 124 | LeBron James reaches 40,000 career points; Jokic’s triple-double leads the Nuggets. |
| Nov 23, 2024 | Crypto.com Arena | 102 | 127 | Nuggets overpower Lakers; Denver’s depth proves too much. |
Playoff Matchups Timeline
This is an organized chronicle of the history of the playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers, with major series, spectacular performances, and turning points.
| Year | Round | Lakers Wins | Nuggets Wins | Series Result | MVP/Top Performer |
| 1985 | First Round | 1 | 0 | Lakers 1–0 | Magic Johnson (LAL) |
| 1987 | First Round | 1 | 0 | Lakers 1–0 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (LAL) |
| 2008 | First Round | 1 | 0 | Lakers 1–0 | Kobe Bryant (LAL) |
| 2020 | Western Conference Finals | 4 | 1 | Lakers 4–1 | LeBron James (LAL) |
| 2023 | Western Conference Finals | 0 | 4 | Nuggets 4–0 | Nikola Jokić (DEN) |
| 2024 | Western Conference First Round | 1 | 4 | Nuggets 4–1 | Jamal Murray (DEN) |
Key Moments and Rivalry Highlights
The Lakers vs. Nuggets rivalry has been characterized by memorable moments that have kept the fans on their seats. The most historic play happened on April 22, 2024, in the second game of their first-round playoff. The Lakers, who were leading by 20 points, lost it all to the Nuggets, who made a comeback.
The game was now at a draw of 99, Jamal Murray was given the ball, Anthony Davis was on the defensive side, and at the buzzer, Jamal Murray took the step-back jumper. The shot flew through the net and Denver won 101-99 and the series 2-0. Murray was playing well, as he had 20 points in his performance, which is a test of his clutch performance. Nikola Jokovic also played a part in it, as he had a triple-double of 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Anthony Davis of the Lakers, who had a great game with 32 points and 11 rebounds, was clearly seen to be frustrated by the defeat. In the postgame press conference, he suddenly cut the session and threw the microphone on the ground in frustration.
This buzzer-beater did not only serve to point out the rising prominence of Murray, but also signaled a turning point in the series, with the tide turning in the Nuggets favor. It was a play that both fans and analysts would not forget as a play that marked the history of the Lakers vs. Nuggets playoffs.
Statistics & Records Overview
By the conclusion of the 202425 NBA regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers have a decisive 11581 advantage over Denver Nuggets in regular season games all time. This shows the historical superiority of the Lakers but it has been narrowed by the Nuggets in recent years.
Top Performers:
- LeBron James is the Laker leader with 49 triple-doubles of his career.
- Nikola Jokic is the leader in the history of Nuggets with 164 career triple-doubles.
Notable Streaks:
- Jokic had three consecutive triple-doubles in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, including a 34-point, 21-rebound, 14-assist game in Game 3 that saw the Nuggets defeat the opponent 132126.
- On February 7, 2023, LeBron James was the first player in NBA history to reach 40,000 career points in a game against the Nuggets.
These statistics highlight the personal genius, which has driven the competition between these two teams.
Future Outlook
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets are poised to go on with their fierce competition until the 202526 NBA season. Upcoming matchups include:
- January 20, 2026 at Ball Arena
- March 5, 2026 at Ball Arena
- March 14, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena
Such games will include marquee player-matchups, including Luka Dončić v Nikola Jokić, and LeBaron James possibly v Aaron Gordon. Having Dončić as their new offensive power, the Lakers will seek to test the defensive strength and versatility of the Nuggets. Denver, who wants to win the Western Conference title again, will use the versatility of Jokic and the ability of Murray to score.
The intensity of the competition is also considerable, and the two teams are competing to dominate the Western Conference. These are the next games that will be critical in determining the playoff picture and may have a long-term impact on both franchises.
Final Word
The Lakers vs Denver Nuggets timeline reflects decades of thrilling matchups, from classic regular season clashes to high-stakes playoff battles. This competition has presented some of the most legendary performances by such players as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Nikola Jokić and left a memorable experience for the fans. With the two teams heading to the next seasons, the hype and importance of the matches are only going to increase and bring about more historic moments in the history of the NBA.
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