{"id":695148,"date":"2026-04-03T03:00:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T03:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/695148\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T03:00:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T03:00:25","slug":"nuggets-coach-gets-honest-about-standings-battle-vs-lakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/695148\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuggets Coach Gets Honest About Standings Battle vs Lakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"David\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

David Adelman is the head coach of the Denver Nuggets.<\/p>\n

With a win over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 1, the Denver Nuggets<\/a> have now improved to 49-28 during the 2025-2026 NBA season.<\/p>\n

The Nuggets have seven wins in a row, coming out on top in eight of their last 10 games.<\/p>\n

Despite the current hot streak, the Nuggets are stuck in fourth place. The only passable team in the Western Conference standings is the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> at this point.<\/p>\n

And the Lakers keep on winning, too. How much are the Nuggets thinking about the Lakers and getting out in front of them? Denver head coach David Adelman got honest on the team\u2019s mindset on that front, following the win over Utah on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Nuggets\u2019 Honest Mindset on Standings Race With Lakers Revealed
\n\"Peyton<\/p>\n

GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA \u2013 MARCH 19: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena on March 19, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lakers are playing great. We just have to keep winning games. If they happen to stumble\u2014great\u2014if they don\u2019t, then good for them,\u201d Adelman told reporters on Wednesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey beat us in the tie-breaker game. To me, the tie-breaker game doesn\u2019t even matter anymore right now because of the way they are playing. I\u2019m sure they are saying the same thing about us, knowing that we just keep coming. They win games, we\u2019re winning games.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"David<\/p>\n

GettyDENVER, COLORADO \u2013 MAY 09: Head coach David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> during the third quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 09, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The Lakers became the third team in the Western Conference to cross 50 wins this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> were first.<\/p>\n

The Lakers and the Nuggets both clinched a playoff berth on the same night, thanks to a Phoenix Suns<\/a> loss.<\/p>\n

But the Lakers didn\u2019t need any favors. As Adelman noted, LA just keeps on winning. The Lakers are 9-1 over their last 10 games, with four-straight victories at the moment. After beating the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> 127-113, the Lakers will take on the top-seeded OKC Thunder on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

As much as that could help, the Nuggets aren\u2019t getting a cakewalk in the schedule at the right time. On Saturday, the Nuggets are hosting the San Antonio Spurs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a tough one coming up this weekend with a great San Antonio team, and they play OKC tomorrow. The schedule never stops. We both know that,\u201d Adelman added.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just speaks to the West and what it is. You win seven in a row, and you basically haven\u2019t moved anywhere. That\u2019s just basically what this conference is right now. It\u2019s a monster, and all of these teams are very deserving of where they are at because of how good they are. I\u2019m happy to say we are one of them. We\u2019re in the mix. If we catch [the Lakers], great. If not, I\u2019m confident with whatever matchup that we have, we can succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJustin Grasso<\/a> Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Nuggets\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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