Denver Nuggets Face the Lakers in First Preseason Game

Nov 13, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill (27) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 111-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

It’s finally here, folks. The Denver Nuggets 2014-15 season officially gets underway tonight when the team faces the Los Angeles Lakers in their first preseason game.

According to the Denver Post‘s Chris Dempsey, none of the players recovering from surgery — Danilo Gallinari, JaVale McGee, Nate Robinson, and J.J. Hickson — will play tonight. But this will be our first look at some new faces, including first round draft picks Gary Harris and Jusuf Nurkic, as well as a chance to see Arron Afflalo on the court in a Nuggets jersey for the first time since his offseason return to the franchise. It’s also Kenneth Faried’s first game since he struck gold with Team USA and signed a contract extension that made him the franchise’s $60 million man.

The team will face a new look Lakers roster that features the likes of Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer, and rookie power forward Julius Randle. All reports indicate that Kobe Bryant will take the floor tonight, marking his return from an injury-shortened 2013-14 campaign that saw him play in only six regular season games. Kobe isn’t the same player he was even three years ago, but his presence will be a good test for Afflalo and the Nuggets defense. Lakers shooting guard Nick Young — aka “Swaggy P” — will not see action, as the team announced this morning that he tore a ligament in his thumb and will miss tonight’s game.

The teams will face-off at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. The game is scheduled to air on NBATV 10 p.m. ET.

I know it’s just a meaningless preseason game, but I’m excited to see the team take the court. Although the Nuggets will be without some of their key players tonight, it still represents a great opportunity to start coming together as a team and setting the tone for the regular season.

So get excited: Nuggets basketball is back!