Denver Nuggets star is not worrying about the Lakers

After a pretty one-sided Western Conference Finals, the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers have been exchanging words all summer, and throughout the preseason. Many of the Lakers’ players aren’t pleased with Nuggets head coach Michael Malone’s jabs at L.A.

At Sunday’s practice, Denver’s starting point guard, Jamal Murray was asked if he has any extra motivation against the Lakers for Tuesday’s opening night meeting at Ball Arena.

“No,” Murray said (h/t Katy Winge). “That’s all for you guys. I just go play basketball and have fun.”

Lakers have been waiting to see the Denver Nuggets again

Though Murray isn’t giving Tuesday’s matchup any extra thought, the same can’t be said for many of the Lakers, who have been ready to see Denver again for quite some time. Star forward Anthony Davis said so at LA’s media day earlier this month.

“It was just a lot of talking and all of the ‘Lakers are dead.’ We get it y’all won,” Davis told James Worthy. “Me and [LeBron James] had some conversations, like — we can’t wait [to play Denver].”

Lakers forward Austin Reaves had a similar message to share, saying that he and his teammates had heard plenty of chatter coming from the Nuggets.

“I think everybody knows it was pointed at us,” Reaves said (h/t Dave McMenamin). “They can do it indirectly if they want, but I think it was very obvious to the public eye, that’s why everybody was talking about it. You see stuff. Me personally, I try my best to stay off social media.”

Tuesday’s matchup will tip off at 5:30 p.m. MT, with the Nuggets receiving their NBA championship rings prior to the game.