Philippines, 14 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA PLAYOFFS -- Lakers open postseason with a bang


PhilBoxing.com




LOS ANGELES -- Unlike their previous campaigns, when they were heavy favorites to win it all, the LA Lakers are a mere No.3 seed in the Western Conference of this year's NBA playoffs.

But the back--to-back 2009-2010 NBA champions served notice Sunday afternoon that they are definitely a force to reckon with by destroying the visiting Denver Nuggets, 103-88, at the Staples Center.

The Lakers went right to business from the get-go, taking an early 18-10 lead before closing the first quarter with a 27-14 advantage. The Nuggets clawed to within 31-35 following a Timofey Mozgov dunk at the 6:24 mark of the second quarter, but the Lakers fired back with a mini run to seize the half 50-40.

Los Angeles padded its cushion to 64-48 midway through the third stanza and the Nuggets never threatened from that point on.

Kobe Bryant led the purple-and-gold with 31 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Black Mamba sank 11-of-24 field goals and 9-of-11 from the free throw line. He clanked his only two 3-point attempts.

Andrew Bynum had an impressive triple-double -- 10 points, 10 rebounds and 13 blocked shots -- while Pau Gasol added 13 points. eight rebounds and eight assists as the Lakers bigs dominated.

Playing in place of the suspended Ron Artest, forward Devin Ebanks acquitted himself well with 12 points and five rebounds while point guard Ramon Sessions managed his game admirably, scoring 14 points and giving five assists against zero turnovers.

The Lakers shot 50 percent from the field (43-of-86 baskets) and 6-of-17 threes (35.3 percent). They went to the free throw stripe just 15 times and converted 11, but as the way their jumpshots kept falling at a high rate, the Lakers didn't need as many forays to the paint.

Danilo Gallinari finished with 19 points for the No. 6 seed Denver Nuggets, who converted only 32-of-90 field goals (35.6 percent) and 4-of14 3s (28.6 percent).
Andre Mille came off the bench for 12 points while Corey Brewer chipped in 11. (Nicholai Rhiz Roska)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Nicholai R. Roska.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.