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LeBron James has acknowledged that the LA Lakers cannot figure out the Denver Nuggets after losing their eighth straight game to the defending champions. The Lakers have not beaten the Nuggets since Dec. 16, 2022, and were swept in the Western Conference finals last season.
In his postgame interview, James discussed how the Nuggets have had the Lakers' number over the last year. The Lakers were in control on Saturday in the first half before Denver made it close in the third quarter.
It was neck-and-neck in the final period before Nikola Jokic and Co. pulled away in the final three minutes.
"I just want to be better," James said. "I just want to figure out a way how we can be better versus this team. They have our number.
"We haven't beaten them in quite a while, and it's always kind of the fourth quarter either the last six minutes or last few minutes of the game where they make plays. We don't make plays, and that could be frustrating on its own right."
The LA Lakers began their losing streak against the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 9, 202, when they lost 122-109 at the Ball Arena. The Lakers got swept in the Western Conference finals despite all four games being close until the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Denver has ruined three big nights for the Lakers this season. The Nuggets humiliated the Lakers on opening night followed by an eight-point win on the day Kobe Bryant's statue was unveiled outside Crypto.com Arena last Feb. 8.
On Saturday when LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 points, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets took care of business when it mattered the most.
LeBron James made history on Saturday night
With his spinning layup over Michael Porter Jr. early in the second quarter, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 points. He added another accolade to his legendary resume by joining the exclusive club.
"The King" is the all-time leading scorer, and his points total will likely be unbreakable for a long time, especially if he doesn't retire anytime soon. He teased retirement last season and was asked about a farewell tour recently, but it seems like the four-time NBA champion will play into his 40s.
