Lakers’ Defensive Strategy Shuts Down Jokic, Celtics Seek to Adapt

DENVER, Colo. — The Los Angeles Lakers‘ game plan to neutralize Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has proven successful, leading to a notable victory on February 22 and inspiring others in the league. After years of struggle against the Nuggets, the Lakers’ strategy emphasized aggressive defense, which restricted Jokic’s influence during their 124-116 win.

Jokic, a three-time MVP, was limited to just 12 points on 2-of-7 shooting against the Lakers, an uncharacteristically poor performance for the Serbian standout. Explaining the Lakers’ defensive prowess, head coach JJ Redick implemented a full-court press paired with tight coverage, effectively denying Jokic the ball and preventing him from establishing position.

In their recent game, the Boston Celtics replicated elements of this strategy against the Nuggets, resulting in a 110-103 win on March 3. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged learning from the Lakers’ game plan but emphasized there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to incredible talents like Jokic.

“I don’t think there’s a right answer. I think that was a good game plan and they did a great job of doing that,” Mazzulla said post-game. “There are different ways to go about it, and we utilized that information.”

During the Lakers’ game, Jokic faced double and triple teams whenever he received the ball. Teammates struggled to find open looks, and the Nuggets were left scrambling to adapt to this intense defensive scheme. Jamal Murray, a key player for Denver, offered insight post-game: “Just a pile-up of things that didn’t go our way tonight, and we didn’t adjust, which is another big thing.”

The Celtics employed a similar strategy, holding Jokic to 20 points, significantly lowering his free-throw attempts compared to his usual game. Mazzulla reiterated the importance of blending information from other teams’ strategies while remaining fluid in their execution.

While Jokic remains a monumental force in the league, the Lakers and Celtics’ success in limiting his effectiveness has sparked discussions among other teams about whether they could adopt similar tactics. However, the challenge remains: while focusing on Jokic, defenders must also account for Denver’s other scoring threats, including Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray, who excel when given open opportunities.

The Celtics are preparing for another rematch against the Lakers on March 8, hoping to maintain the momentum from their recent victories. With playoff implications on the line, how both teams adapt their strategies in real-time against the formidable Jokic will be critical to their success heading into the postseason.