Lakers Ripped by NBA Fans After 2nd-Half Collapse in Loss to Nikola Jokić, Nuggets

Andrew PetersApril 23, 2024

DENVER, CO - APRIL 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 22, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images

The Los Angeles Lakers seemed on their way to a big win in Game 2 of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, but a fourth-quarter collapse led to a blown lead and a 101-99 loss.

The Lakers led by as many as 20 and took a 15-point lead into the half. The Nuggets cut into the lead in the third, but Los Angeles still led by 10 heading into the final quarter. Denver then went on a 22-8 run to cut the deficit to just five heading into the final minutes before quickly tying things up.

Things went back and forth and the Lakers took a two-point lead with less than a minute to go after a LeBron James layup, but Jamal Murray tied it up on the next possession. After Los Angeles' go-ahead shot attempt fell short, Murray hit a step-back jumper at the buzzer to win it and give Denver a 2-0 series lead.

After the loss, NBA fans ripped the Lakers for their monumental collapse.

Sean Highkin @highkin
What a collapse by the Lakers.

Colb @___Colb___
Lakers collapse against this team every single time it's unbelievable.

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Marcus Greaves @MarcusGreaves_
Yeah that was cold. ❄️ Also… terrible collapse from the Lakers in the 4th. <a href="https://t.co/HtjzIW4oea">https://t.co/HtjzIW4oea</a>

Steve B. Holt @SteveBHolt
This Lakers collapse is incredible. Must be the altitude or the nuggets are just in their heads but it's been like 15 straight minutes of sloppiness.

Daniel Krainer @DanielKrainer
Another complete collapse by the lakers to go down 0-2. Going to be a short playoff for both LA teams

Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless
PLEASE DON'T TELL ME LEBRON JAMES HAD A WIDE-OPEN UNGUARDED THREE TO WIN IT ... AND MISSED IT ... AND JAMAL MURRAY HAD A FALLAWAY CONTESTED BY ANTHONY DAVIS AT THE BUZZER ... AND MADE IT!

StatMuse @statmuse
Lakers had double-digit leads in Game 1 and Game 2. They are down 0-2. <a href="https://t.co/Qd7yEimAJY">pic.twitter.com/Qd7yEimAJY</a>

Jake Schwanitz @JakeDNVR
JAMAL MURRAY 🥶 What an unreal collapse by the Lakers 😂

Elijah Williams @ClearCutShotz
What a collapse from the Lakers. Up by how many??

Chris Williams @CoachCW3
Welp that's it. Lakers season is over you don't come back from that kind of collapse. 20 point lead it's over

✈AllenAG✈ @aretdaboss
Lakers blow a 20 pt lead and lose by a buzzer beater… <a href="https://t.co/bGFBhztCKL">pic.twitter.com/bGFBhztCKL</a>

Tyson Beck @tysonbeckdesign
Feels like every Lakers vs Denver game you watch is a replay of the previous game. Lakers have a huge lead, blow it and Denver handle business in the clutch

The feeling of Monday night's game has grown too familiar for the Lakers. In Saturday's loss, the Lakers led by double digits before collapsing in the third quarter to drop the first game of the series. Denver has now won six straight playoff games against the Lakers dating back to last season's Western Conference Finals.

Perhaps returning to Los Angeles will help the Lakers regroup as they look to avoid a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 deficit. Game 3 between Los Angeles and Denver will take place Thursday at 10 p.m. ET.