The Denver Nuggets' Recent Dominance Over the Lakers
Since the beginning of 2023, the Denver Nuggets have established themselves as a formidable force against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets have dominated both regular-season and playoff matchups, leaving little doubt about their superiority in these encounters.
In a series of eight regular-season games, the Nuggets showcased their prowess by winning every single one. This consistent performance carried over to the playoffs, where Denver triumphed in eight out of nine games against the Lakers. Despite the Lakers leading at halftime in all five games they played against the Nuggets, they couldn't sustain their momentum, allowing Denver to claim victory in most of the contests.
Commenting on their extensive efforts throughout the season, Nuggets' Kentavious Caldwell-Pope reflected, "You know how like, towards the playoffs, guys get their rest? But I feel like that's where we spent most of our energy and our time trying to get first place." It is clear that Denver's focus and energy were pivotal in their regular-season and playoff dominance.
However, not all went perfectly for Denver. The Nuggets faced a shocking setback in a crucial Game 7 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite holding a commanding 20-point lead, the Nuggets faltered and handed the game to the Timberwolves, marking a significant missed opportunity in their otherwise stellar postseason run.
Injuries Have Plagued Recent Postseasons
The impact of injuries cannot be overstated in recent NBA seasons. In the 2024 postseason, 10 out of 15 series included at least one All-Star missing a game due to injuries—a trend that mirrored the previous year, where 7 out of 15 series faced similar challenges. Teams like the Knicks and Timberwolves faced significant adversity with many crucial players sidelined. The Knicks, for instance, played against Indiana with a large portion of their role players unavailable, significantly impacting their performance.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the unique challenges posed by compressed schedules and the lingering effects of COVID-19 on the league. "Last season, entirely because of COVID issues which compressed the schedule, we played 72 games," Silver explained. Reflecting on the expectations versus reality regarding the impact of a shorter season on injuries, Silver added, "I thought that was a pretty good answer for all those people who said we'd reduce injuries by playing 10 fewer games, that was quickly forgotten."
Business and Viewership Trends
On the business front, the NBA secured a monumental new television deal valued at $76 billion over 11 years, averaging approximately $6.9 billion annually. This significant investment underscores the league's robust market value despite recent fluctuations in viewership. Playoff ratings saw a 12% drop from the previous year, though the Finals between the Celtics and Mavericks still attracted an average of 11.3 million viewers.
Nonetheless, there are concerns about the NBA's future fan base. A 2021 study highlighted a worrisome trend: only 23% of Gen-Z respondents identified as sports fans, in stark contrast to 42% of millennials. This demographic shift suggests that the NBA, like many other sports leagues, may need to innovate and adapt to maintain and grow its audience.
Despite these challenges, the Nuggets' recent performance against the Lakers illustrates the high level of competition and drama that continues to define the NBA. As Caldwell-Pope succinctly put it, "We felt the Lakers should have beat us." Yet, the results tell a different story—one of Denver's dominance and resilience in the face of adversity.