"Here we go again": Lakers fans crucify Anthony Davis after he scores 0 points in second half in loss to Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets decimated Anthony Davis and the LA Lakers 119-107 in their 2023 NBA opening night clash behind Nikola Jokic's triple-double. Denver got off to a fast start and was in control for much of their season and home opener against their 2023 conference finals opponents. All five starters scored in double digits, taking turns against the Lakers' lackluster defense.

The Nuggets led by 14 points after the first quarter. The Lakers kept themselves in the hunt for most of the game and cut the Nuggets' lead to single digits at the end of the half and the third quarter. LA got within three points early in the fourth. However, the Nuggets' intensity and efficiency on both ends proved too much for LeBron James and Co.

Anthony Davis put up 17 points in the first half alone but flamed out in the last two quarters, going scoreless. He shot 6-of-17 from the floor overall. AD did have eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks, but just like the 2023 conference finals, he was no match for his counterpart Nikola Jokic.

The Serbian big dominated with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, shooting 54.5%, including 3-of-5 from the floor. The Lakers fans showed no mercy to Davis for his second-half no-show.

"Here we go again," one fan wrote.

More reactions followed:

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Anthony Davis' second-half performance sums up Lakers' ceiling this year

You may have heard this before that the Lakers ceiling is as high as Anthony Davis'. That notion was again proved true during the team's opening night loss to the Nuggets on Tuesday. The Lakers looked comfortable and in the game by the end of the first half because of Davis' 17 points.

However, his no-show in the second half was to blame for the team's 12-point loss. It was a different ball game if AD made a significant impact. Davis looked out of sorts against the Nuggets' physical defense. He settled far too much, refusing to attack the rim.

The rim pressure could've awarded the Lakers a significant advantage on a night when they weren't getting as many calls. It would've opened up opportunities for their perimeter threats. Taurean Prince made four of six shots from deep, while D'Angelo Russell went two-of-five.

Anthony Davis could've used dribble penetration to collapse the Nuggets' defense and kick the ball out for high-percentage looks. Davis and the Lakers will hope they can resolve their issues soon. They won't be going too far this season if they don't improve significantly on Tuesday's showing.