Cavaliers Extend Winning Streak as Lakers Battle Injuries

DENVER (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their impressive run, winning their 14th consecutive game, while the Los Angeles Lakers faced a challenging loss against the Denver Nuggets without several key players.

On Friday night, the Lakers battled hard but fell to the Nuggets 131-126. The loss came as star guard Luka Doncic was ruled out due to calf injury management and a previously sustained ankle sprain. Coach JJ Redick commented on the challenges: “Yeah, just the nature of a bunch of guys dealing with injuries and the schedule. There is not much we can do about that, but we are going to try to win a basketball game.”

Despite the absence of Doncic and LeBron James—who missed his third consecutive game due to a groin strain—the Lakers nearly pulled off an upset. Austin Reaves scored 37 points and Dalton Knecht added 32, lifting the team to a brief lead late in the game.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone noted the pressure his team faced against a short-handed Lakers squad: “This isn’t a beauty pageant. We don’t get rated on our wins. But a good win.”

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers’ recent victories have solidified their position at the top of the NBA standings. Having gone 14-0 while scoring at least 110 points in every game, the Cavaliers are on the brink of tying their franchise record for consecutive wins.

This streak is notable as the Cavaliers prepare to face the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic this week, with the hope of extending their success. Donovan Mitchell leads the Cavaliers but faced challenges in a recent matchup, scoring only 15 points against the Detroit Pistons, below his season average.

In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured their place as a formidable contender. They defeated the Denver Nuggets convincingly in their last matchup, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 40 points, underlining his candidacy for MVP. The Thunder look to maintain their lead as they face tough opponents in the coming weeks.

As the end of the regular season approaches, the pressure builds for teams vying for playoff positions. The Lakers are struggling to stay competitive as they navigate injuries, particularly to key players like James and Doncic. They now look towards a five-game homestand that starts against the Phoenix Suns.

As the Lakers aim to recover, the Cavaliers will strive to keep their impressive winning streak alive in what promises to be an exciting finish to the NBA regular season.