Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James were not able to start the 2023/24 NBA season with the right foot as the Denver Nuggets demolished them in the fourth quarter to beat them 107-119. James led the Lakers with 21 points despite staying on the court for just 29 minutes.
That was a first for LeBron James to start the NBA season as he averaged almost 36 minutes per game last year. By the time the Lakers dropped to a 12-point deficit (103-115), James was pulled to the bench and did not come back.
“I always want to be on the floor. Especially when you got an opportunity to win a game or you feel like you can make an impact,” LeBron James told reporters after the game.
“But this is the system in place and I’m going to follow it.”
James finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists, shooting an efficient 10-of-16 from the field, while the Lakers were plus-7 the time that the future Hall of Famer was on the floor.
“Besides the fact that we didn’t win. I think for me, my performance and what I did individually in the time that I was out there, I think I was productive,” James noted on his performance.
The Lakers are set to return on court for Thursday’s home opener against the star-studded Phoenix Suns, who started the 2023/24 NBA season with a huge road win over the Warriors.
