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The Los Angeles Lakers continued their strong push toward the postseason with a win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. The victory marked their third straight win, moving them up to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with just 14 games left in the regular season.
Despite missing four-time MVP LeBron James, who was sidelined for a fifth straight game with a groin injury suffered on March 8 against the Boston Celtics, L.A. has found momentum thanks to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The duo stepped up once again against Denver, with Doncic delivering 31 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Reaves added 22 points, five rebounds and eight assists to fuel the Lakers' win.
Although the Lakers have found a winning rhythm of late, James’ absence was deeply felt early on, particularly during their losing streak on the road. His impact on defense has been notably missed, with the Lakers often looking disorganized on that end of the floor.
Head coach JJ Redick acknowledged just how valuable James is to the team, sharing a direct message to the NBA's all-time leading scorer before their matchup against Denver.
"You know who we miss? We miss your voice on the defensive end," Redick said to James after his fourth straight missed game.
JJ Redick says he told LeBron James after the San Antonio game: " 'You know who we miss?' We miss your voice on the defensive end." #Lakeshow
— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) March 20, 2025
Even at 40 years old, James continues to defy expectations in his 22nd NBA season, remaining one of the league’s top performers. The 21-time All-Star is averaging 25.0 points, 8.5 assists and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting 51.7% from the field.
With the playoffs fast approaching, the Lakers are hoping to have James back in the lineup sooner rather than later. According to Redick, the superstar is considered day-to-day, and the Lakers will be eager for his return as they gear up for a deep playoff run in an ultra-competitive Western Conference.
More must-reads:
- NBA scout says LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves 'are playing well above their defensive standards'
- Luka Doncic reaches several milestones in latest outburst
- The 'Most wins for each NBA franchise' quiz
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Nikola Jokic’s agent causes stir with post about LeBron James
Nikola Jokic’s agent certainly knows how to stir the pot. Misko Raznatovic, the Serbian sports agent who represents the Denver Nuggets star Jokic, sparked a frenzy over social media this week with a post about Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. Raznatovic posted a picture to Instagram of himself on a boat along with both James and James’ longtime business partner Maverick Carter. Tagging both James and Carter in the post, Raznatovic had the location as Saint Tropez, France. He also included the caption, “The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026!” As for Jokic, he is still under contract with the Nuggets through at least 2027 (with a player option for 2027-28 as well). There also no indications that Jokic is unhappy in Denver, particularly with the Nuggets making some big win-now moves this summer. Despite their playoff battles in years past, James and Jokic share a strong relationship of mutual respect. Now it appears that Jokic’s agent is toying with the possibility of recruiting James to Denver for the 2026-27 season (assuming that James would still like to continue his NBA career by that point).
Stephanie White Puts Indiana Fever Players on Notice Despite Win Against Aces
The Indiana Fever’s starters turned in a strong all-around effort in Thursday’s 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. The starting unit scored at least 13 points each, save for Aari McDonald, who registered nine points in 22 minutes of action. Indiana’s starters combined for 76 out of the team’s 80 points on the evening, which only means that the four other players who came off the bench accounted for just four points in the game. All that came from Sydney Colson, who went 2-of-5 in 18 minutes of playing time. Lexie Hull, Makayla Timpson and Damiris Dantas all failed to score in the win. Stephanie White Calls Out Fever's Bench Be that as it may, offense wasn’t even the biggest concern for head coach Stephanie White. In her postgame press conference, the veteran shot-caller called out Indiana’s bench for their lack of intensity on the defensive end, particularly in the first half. “Our bench has to be ready,” she said. “I felt like our bench in the second half was really good defensively. In the first half, I didn't feel that way. You got to be ready to come in and you got to be ready to guard your matchup and execute the game plan. "We have depth for a reason. We've got quality depth and we've got to be able to use it. So if fatigue is a factor in execution, then they just need to ask for a sub and I'll get them out and get them back in." It has been a bit of a busy stretch for the Fever at the midway point of the season. Thursday’s matchup against the Aces was their second game in three nights, and they will be back in action again on Sunday in a rivalry showdown against the Chicago Sky. White, however, isn’t accepting fatigue as an excuse. This is regardless of the fact that Caitlin Clark remains out with a re-aggravated groin injury. White is adamant that this roster has been built for adversity, and she didn’t hesitate to put her bench on notice after Thursday’s showing.
Bruins' David Pastrnak Calls Out Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: He Just Lacks Humility'
Juraj Slafkovsky is one of the most promising players in the NHL, but now he has been called out by David Pastrnak, who stated he lacks humility. After being picked No. 1 overall in 2022 NHL Draft, expectations were high in Montreal for young star Juraj Slafkovsky, and thus far, he's shown glimpses of being the elite level player many expected when he entered the National Hockey League. However, there are still some major steps to go, and in a recent interview, Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak pointed out perhaps one area where the 21-year old may need to improve moving forward. When asked about Slafkovsky and his potential, Pastrnak gave nothing but a glowing review of the young Canadiens star, but he did note that he believes Slafkovsky needs more humility. 'He's still a young player who is gaining experience in the NHL every year. This season it was already clear that he gave the team more than before...He just needs a little more humility, he should set an example for the young ones.' On the ice, there's no doubting that Slafkovsky has the presence, the size and the talent to be a true star, posting 101 total points over the past two seasons, but for whatever reason, it appears as though Pastrnak believes he needs to improve off the ice before he can take a major leap in Montreal. Ultimately, the talent is still there for Slafkovsky, and at 21-years old, he'll continue to learn off the ice, and if he can go anywhere close to living up to the potential that he's shown in his first three years at the NHL level, there's no doubt that he can be a big time star and help lead the Canadiens to significant post-season success.
Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden Already Has A New Nickname
The Green Bay Packers may have found their next offensive weapon in rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden. Just a few days into training camp, Golden has already made a name for himself, earning praise from teammates and coaches alike. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia even gave him the nickname “Bullet,” a nod to his blazing speed and dynamic playmaking ability. With expectations high, Golden is showing why he was a first-round pick and why he could be a key piece in the Packers’ offense this season. A Strong Start to Green Bay Packers Training Camp Golden has wasted no time making an impact in his first NFL training camp. His smooth route running and explosive speed have been on full display, drawing attention from both fans and teammates. According to reports, Golden has already been utilized in a variety of ways, including jet sweeps and motion plays, hinting at the versatile role he could play in the Packers’ offense. Rich Bisaccia’s nickname for Golden, “Bullet,” is a reference to former Olympic sprinter and Dallas Cowboys legend Bob “Bullet” Hayes. The comparison is fitting, as Golden’s speed has been a standout trait since his college days. “He’s got that extra gear,” said head coach Matt LaFleur. “You can see it in the way he separates from defenders. It’s exciting to think about what he can bring to our offense.” Matthew Golden: College Dominance at Texas Golden’s college career at Texas was nothing short of spectacular. In his final season, he recorded 1,215 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 16.2 yards per catch. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays in critical moments made him one of the most dangerous receivers in the country. Over his three-year college career, Golden amassed 2,987 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns, solidifying his status as a first-round talent. His performance at the NFL Combine only added to the hype. Golden ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash, showcasing the elite speed that has already earned him comparisons to some of the league’s top deep threats. His combination of size, speed, and route-running ability made him a no-brainer for the Packers, who were in desperate need of a reliable target for quarterback Jordan Love. Filling a Key Role in the Packers’ Offense The Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver room has undergone significant changes in recent years. With Christian Watson recovering from a torn ACL and other young receivers like Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks still developing, Golden has a clear path to playing time. His ability to create separation and make plays downfield could make him a go-to option for Love, especially in critical third-down situations. Golden’s versatility also makes him a valuable asset. Whether lining up in the slot, running jet sweeps, or stretching the field on deep routes, he has the skill set to contribute in multiple ways. “He’s a guy who can do it all,” said veteran running back Josh Jacobs. “You can see the potential. He’s going to be a problem for defenses.” Final Thoughts Matthew Golden’s first week of training camp has been nothing short of impressive. From earning the nickname “Bullet” to showcasing his elite speed and versatility, he’s already proving why the Green Bay Packers invested a first-round pick in him. With his college pedigree and early flashes of brilliance, Golden has the potential to be a game-changer for Green Bay’s offense. As the season approaches, the Packers may have found their next star wide receiver, and the rest of the league should take notice.
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