Nikola Jokic was a menace for the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of playoffs last season. That’s why the postseason matchup didn’t go beyond Game 5. Out of the five games that Nikola Jokic faced LeBron James and Co., he scored 141 points in total. Also, the eighth-seeded Lakers will be looking to dethrone the Nuggets’ domination in the Western Conference. Currently, Joker and Co. are in second place in the WC. However, hoopers love redemption arcs, and it might not get any better than this for the Lakers.

In 2023, the Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals. But by the summer of 2024 were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Now, the Purple and Gold are in danger of missing the post-season entirely. Such an event would be a stain on the legacy of 17x NBA Champions. After 2020, the Lakers have not missed a playoff, so could they be eliminated for the first time in their history, even with LeBron James on the roster?

Regardless, fans are excited about how the Lakers plan to pay back Jokic and the Nuggets. Before that, when do these two basketball giants face off? Let’s dive deep.

Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets Vs LeBron James’ Lakers: The schedule for the ultimate showdown

The first clash between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers will take place on November 24, 2024, during the NBA Cup. It will be a midnight game between the two giants. Although the Lakers are not giants statistically right now. Out of the 82 games that the Lakers played last season, they won about 47 games and lost 35 of them. While Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets squad have clinched victory in 57 games losing 25 of them.

Also, the Nuggets and Lakers faced each other 8 times last season. However, LeBron James’ squad could only get one win during the first round of playoffs. That was more of saving themselves from embarrassment. It was during Game 4 of the first round of the playoffs, and even then, Jokic was ahead of King James. The Joker scored 33 points that night, while LeBron got 30 points from baskets. So it was more of a lackluster on-team effort from the Nuggets rather than Jokic’s failure.

But when it comes to historical value and names, the Purple and Gold stand higher. Originally known as the Denver Rockets, they won two championships in 1994 and 1995. However, in the present decade, they only got to win with the 3x MVP in 2023.  After 23 years of drought, the Nuggets finally found their title. However, this year, they could not continue the championship spree as the Wolves paved their way out in the second round of playoffs. It was the 6th time that defending champions could not get past the second round of playoffs in NBA history.

Nevertheless, whenever these titans are going to face each other, the squads are going to be a little bit different.

The squad combinations for the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets for the 2024-25 season

The potential squad for the 2024-25 season from the Lakers will include LeBron James, D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent. Other prominent names on Pelinka’s squad are Christian Wood, Quincy Olivari, Kylor Kelley, Max Christie, and Colin Castleton. The rest of the squad will feature players like Blake Hinson, Armel Traore, Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxwell Lewis, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Austin Reaves, and Jaxon Hayes.

The Nuggets are going to step onto the court with their starting five, including Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., Nikola Jokic, and Christian Braun. Coming to the rest of the team it will include the new addition, Russell Westbrook. Trey Alexander, Spencer Jones, DeAndre Jordan, Jaylin Williams, Gabe McGlothan, and Hunter Tyson. The bench strength might go with Jahmir Young, Dario Saric, PJ Hall, DaRon Holmes, Hunter Tyson, Jalen Pickett, and Valtko Cancar.

Nikola Jokic and company are looking strong with the addition of Russell Westbrook to their team. They are a team full of young players, and Westbrook is a 9x NBA All-Star. So his athleticism and ability to score baskets fiercely will be complimentary to the Nuggets squad.  Also, when it comes to intangibles, he is an impact player who will improve the overall performance of the Joker company. Therefore, when it comes to prediction, the Lakers are not a match for Nikola Jokic and his team.

The Lakers have got young potential on the team. But they are not ready to face the offensive Nuggets. The only miracle that can happen in Rob Pelinka’s squad is the combination of players. If they get the team layup right, it might lead them farther than they are supposed to go next season. Most of the teams have upgraded themselves during this offseason. That’s why the nightmare regarding the playoff elimination will always be there for the team under JJ Redick’s guidance.