PREVIEW: The Los Angeles Lakers (25-16) travel to Denver to face the Nuggets (29-14) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET , marking a clash between two Western Conference contenders navigating significant injury challenges. Denver is managing without Nikola Jokic due to a knee injury, though the team has maintained a 7-4 record in his absence , while The Los Angeles Lakers (25-16) visit the Denver Nuggets (29-14) at Ball Arena in Denver after losing three road games in a row. The Lakers rank first in efficient attacking at the rim and free throw generation, yet struggle defensively against rim attacks , creating a mixed profile on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Denver leads the league in three-point shooting efficiency and boasts the third-best turnover rate , establishing themselves as a high-execution offensive system despite their personnel losses. Los Angeles excels at forcing low-quality threes defensively but ranks 25th in shot volume near the basket , suggesting they prefer to operate away from the paint. With Murray, Gordon, and Hardaway Jr. listed as probable for Denver, the Nuggets should have enough firepower to challenge a Lakers squad that has struggled lately. The Lakers sit at 5-5 over their last ten games, though their clutch-game record of 13-1 has propped up their season , indicating they perform best when contests remain close. The Lakers open as slight 2.5-point favorites in a matchup carrying a 227.5-point total , setting the stage for a tight Western Conference battle between two teams seeking momentum heading into the stretch run.