After OT Loss To Lakers, Nuggets Nikola Jokic Says 'Not A Bad Thing To Lose Against Them'

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DENVER (AP/CBS4) - Despite the disappointment of a 120-116 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center, the Denver Nuggets are pleased to take a 38-17 record into the All-Star break.

"Of course nobody wants to lose, but we lost to an amazing team," said center Nikola Jokic, who was battered after 37 minutes of having LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard come at him in waves.

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot against Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Pepsi Center on Feb. 12, 2020 in Denver. (credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

"They are one of the best teams in the NBA right now. They are playing at a really high level. It's not a bad thing to lose against them, especially because it's overtime and we put up a fight."

Denver was without the injured trio of Mason Plumlee, Michael Porter Jr. and Will Barton III in the overtime loss.

PHOTO GALLERY: Lakers 120, Nuggets 116 (OT)

"We are still second," Jokic said, referring to their position in the Western Conference. "So I like it."

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is presented a commemorative jersey marking his second NBA All-Star game appearance before their game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Pepsi Center on Feb. 12, 2020. (credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Jokic had 22 points and 11 rebounds for Denver, but Brad Botkin of CBS Sports writes that he "committed a costly turnover when he had a chance to attempt a game-tying three in the closing seconds of overtime."

"The Nuggets are for real, but the Lakers were just too much in prevailing with a 120-116 victory in overtime," Botkin wrote.