BD Cricket Live reports that the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their ninth straight loss to the Denver Nuggets, falling in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Despite strong efforts from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who combined for 59 points, the game slipped out of reach by the end of the third quarter. The decisive factor wasn’t the stars—it was the vanishing act performed by the Lakers’ backcourt.

Heading into this matchup, the Lakers had already lost eight consecutive games to Denver, including a sweep in last year’s Western Conference Finals and another four defeats during the regular season. The odds of a win felt as remote as a World Cup appearance for the Chinese national team. To beat the reigning champions, the Lakers needed both airtight defense and exceptional offensive execution. They managed half of the equation: Jokic and Murray were contained to manageable numbers, and LeBron and AD delivered peak performances. But basketball is a five-man game, and the supporting cast, especially in the backcourt, failed to show up.

D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, who had been instrumental in helping the Lakers secure the seventh seed, completely disappeared when it mattered most. Russell’s hot shooting that often bailed out the Lakers in the regular season went cold. Reaves, too, fell flat. Against the Nuggets’ relentless defensive pressure, the Lakers’ once-reliable guards transformed into non-factors. While LeBron and Davis carried the team, Russell and Reaves went from trusted shooters to liabilities, unable to deliver on either end.

The problem was magnified by their shared minutes on the floor. Denver repeatedly targeted the duo on defense, exploiting mismatches and torching LA from deep. The Nuggets hit 15 three-pointers to the Lakers’ 8, a lopsided gap that told the story of the game. It wasn’t just poor shooting—it was broken perimeter defense and complete collapse in key moments.

While this was only Game 1, BD Cricket Live suggests there’s little suspense left in the series. The only real question is whether the Lakers can avoid another humiliating sweep at the hands of Denver. Unless the backcourt finds its footing, history may repeat itself faster than anyone in purple and gold would like.