Nuggets will get an early taste of Lonzo Ball, Lakers in preseason

The Nuggets will face second overall pick Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers twice in preseason action on Oct. 2 and Oct. 4.

The Oct. 2 matchup will be played at Staples Center in Los Angeles while the Oct. 4 game will pit the Nuggets against the Lakers from Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. Los Angeles and Denver faced each other last preseason in Ontario where the Lakers were victorious 124-115.

Ball and the Lakers, who also boast 2016’s second overall pick Brandon Ingram, dominated the scene at the Las Vegas Summer League over the last few weeks and figure to carry that media storm through the preseason. Denver’s two matchups with Los Angeles figure to be highly publicized.

Ball won the Summer League’s Most Valuable Player award and averaged 16.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists in six Summer League games. The Lakers won the Summer League championship without Ball who was resting a right calf strain.

Los Angeles also added shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and center Brook Lopez to their core of Ball, Ingram, and Julius Randle this summer.

Denver’s full preseason schedule will be released at a later date.