Though the two teams were neck and neck most of the night, the Lakers ended up falling to the Denver Nuggets 111-105 Tuesday night. The game was especially important since both teams are jockeying for sixth place in the Western conference. This loss leaves the Lakers at 39-35 W-L and the Nuggets at 37-36 W-L.

The game was fast and competitive all night and with the league’s two top scorers – Kobe Bryant and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony – it was definitely an offensive show. Kobe had 39 points for the game, which also helped him to become the youngest player in NBA history to reach 19,000 points at the age of 28, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan, both of whom reached that mark at 29.

Kwame Brown, who reportedly has to get surgery on his left ankle after this season, left the game in the first half after Denver’s Marcus Camby stepped right on that same ankle. His status for next game is unsure.

Sad end of the day for Phil Jackson, who learned Monday that he is to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Lakers play the L.A. Clippers tomorrow night.

AP photo by Matt Sayles