There was a lot of partying and celebration in the looker room following Los Angeles Lakers first win of the 2022-23 season.
The Lakers claimed their first win of the new season, beating the Denver Nuggets 121-110 on Sunday.
Russell Westbrook came off the bench to contribute 18 points for Los Angeles, who had lost their first five games of the season under head coach Darvin Ham.
“We needed this one. We needed this for our team, our spirits, our fans, our organization. We come out and showed what we’re capable of. It could be the start of a run for us,” Davis said after the game.
The win feels so good for Los Angeles for several reasons. The Lakers were winless longer than any team in the NBA to start the season.
It happened against the Nuggets team many believed was a championship contender coming into the season. It’s also the first career win for new head coach Darvin Ham, who got the job after years of being an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The #Lakers celebrating Darvin Ham’s first win as an NBA head coach.
🎥: @94feetofgame pic.twitter.com/DRNtRUguPM
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 31, 2022
Nikola Jockic scored 23 points and Jamal Murray added 21 for the Nuggets.
The Lakers made 13 3-pointers on 13-for-30 shooting after having struggled with long-range shots in their previous five games. The Nuggets made 15 3-pointers.
Devin Booker scored 30 points, Cam Johnson added 19 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 124-109 for their fourth straight victory.
Booker shot 14 of 24 from the field on his 26th birthday, while fellow All-Star Chris Paul had a season-high 15 assists.
Reigning NBA champion the Golden State Warriors are still looking for top form as they lost 128-114 to the Detroit Pistons.
Stephen Curry scored a game-high 32 points and Jordan Poole added 30 for Golden State but it was not enough as Detroit had five starters in double figures calling the shots.
Elsewhere, Jaylen Brown scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Jayson Tatum and reserve Malcolm Brogdon each added 23 points to see the Boston Celtics beat the Washington Wizards 112-94.
Latvian Kristaps Porzingis led the Wizards with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Luka Doncic scored 30 of his season-high 44 points in the first half to help the Dallas Mavericks get past the Orlando Magic 114-105.
In Sunday’s other fixtures, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-98, the Cleveland Cavaliers eased past the New York Knicks 121-108, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame the Los Angeles Clippers 112-91.
