Injuries began to take a toll on the Lakers on Wednesday night, leaving them short-handed and unable to overcome their sudden adversity during a 117-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center.
It became a game of attrition for the Lakers when Kobe Bryant, who started the game, was unable to play in the second half because of a sore right shoulder.
The Lakers were reduced even more in the third quarter when second-year guard Jordan Clarkson suffered a strained tendon in his left knee and was unable to return.