The Los Angeles Lakers followed a monkey-ridding first win of the season against the Phoenix Suns with a rousing 121-114 victory over the previously-undefeated Denver Nuggets on Thursday. Head coach Luke Walton praised Lonzo Ball's activity and his aggressive mindset as propellers for the win.

“His instincts for the game when he's aggressive amd active, he changes games,” said Walton of Ball, according to ClutchPoints' Ryan Ward. “I told him in front of the whole team. I thought when he was kind of out there and not really involved [then] he started picking up [Jamal] Murray full court.”

Ball's activity and aggression carried into the defensive end, as he put the clamps on Jamal Murray and eventually got a steal, which sparked the rest of his game coming together.

“From that point on, on defense, he was causing havoc, getting his hands on balls, reading plays, coming in and rebounding,” said the Lakers coach. “But yeah, he's a big-time game-changer for us when he's playing aggressively like that.”

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Lakers' LeBron James drives vs. Celtics' Derrick White
Lakers’ LeBron James shares Derrick White story to keep Bronny, Bryce ‘locked in’Jedd Pagaduan ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) against the New York Knicks during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ LeBron James back on the court after knee surgeryRichard Pereira ·
Nike Kobe 5 Year of the Mamba, Kobe Bryant, Nike, Nike Kobe 5
Nike Kobe 5 ‘Year of the Mamba’ updated lookDominik Zawartko ·
Myles Turner playing for the Pacers. Pacers logo in background
Ranking 3 best Myles Turner free-agency destinations if he leaves PacersBailey Bassett ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) looks on during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in game two of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Thunder’s Alex Caruso clowns angry Lakers fans after throwing bubble shadeBenedetto Vitale ·
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, who was heckled by New York fans outside Fanatics Fest.
LeBron James savagely heckled by haters at Fanatics FestAndrew Korpan ·

Murray still had 22 points and 10 rebounds on the night, but Ball filled out the stat sheet with 12 points, six rebounds, eight assists and five steals, connecting on two of his five 3-point attempts.

Ball has now scored in double digits and shot 50 percent or better in his last four games, making enough of an impression to warrant staying as the team's starting point guard after filling in for the suspended Rajon Rondo.

Walton will have to eventually decide whether he keeps the 20-year-old as a starter or if he gives the veteran his spot back after a brawl with Houston Rockets point guard Chris Paul.

Rondo is due to return on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs after serving the final of his three games under suspension on Thursday.