In an adrenaline-fueled showdown in Los Angeles, the Lakers rose to occasion and put an end the Denver Nuggets’ reign atop this rivalry, and managed to squeeze out at least one more thrilling contest in their playoff journey.
LeBron James, the engine that drives the Lakers, was central to their victory, displaying his unyielding spirit and stepping up in the heated moments. James powered his way through the Nuggets’ defense, racking up a formidable 30 points. Anthony Davis delivered an equally important performance, accumulating 25 points and 23 rebounds. Thanks to their combined talents, the Lakers staved off postseason elimination with a hard-fought 119-108 win over the Nuggets in the nerve-wrecking Game 4 of their first-round series on Saturday night.
D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves shared the spotlight, both securing 21 points for the seventh-seeded Lakers. That night, the Lakers shattered their 11-game losing streak against the reigning NBA champions, marking their first victory over the Nuggets since December 2022.
The storyline that dominated this series took a drastic turn in favor of the Lakers. Despite the Nuggets countering every Lakers’ double-digit lead with a spirited rally led by Nikola Jokic, this time, the Lakers didn’t succumb to the defending champions’ intensity. James, despite being in his 21st NBA season, looked eager as ever, banking 14 points in the fourth quarter on 6-of-8 shooting.
Looking ahead, Game 5 on Monday night in Denver will be a critical one. Speaking on the occasion, James remarked, “Monday’s game is the most important game of the season for us, and we understand that.”
Despite being swept aside in the Western Conference finals last season by Denver, the Lakers displayed their mettle in the face of a 0-3 deficit. Their performance was reflective of a team that entered the postseason on a high, with 12 wins in their last 15 games.
Speaking of their survival instinct, Reaves confidently said, “Odds aren’t stacked in our favor, but anytime we can keep ourselves floating above water and give ourselves an opportunity to do something special, we’re up for the challenge.”
Jokic even after scoring 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, and securing his 18th career triple-double, couldn’t subdue the indomitable Lakers. The Nuggets’ reputation for late-game dominance was notably absent this time around. Denver’s 19-point deficit did lessen to 113-106 due to Jokic’s noteworthy three-point play with a mere 1:25 left on the clock, but their comeback hopes were dashed by Reaves with a short jumper followed by four free throws.
Despite their fiery efforts, Denver couldn’t compensate for another slow offensive start, which has been a consistent trend in this series. Jokic candidly commented, “We didn’t finish today really well, so hopefully we can do a better job. But yes, we want to be up and control the game, but it seems like that didn’t happen to us.”
Noteworthy contributions were made by Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray, who scored 27 and 22 points respectively, but Nuggets coach Michael Malone was critical of his team’s defensive performance, branding it a “joke”.
Among the night’s standout performers, Davis deserves a special mention. His impressive 23 rebounds were tied with his career playoff record. Davis was aware of the stakes, stating, “Nobody wants that feeling, especially going to the summer. You’ve got to live with that feeling for the rest of the summer. The way we played tonight is the way we have to play the rest of the series.”
The crowd also had the pleasure of catching a glimpse of Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy-winning former USC quarterback and the No. 1 overall pick in this weekend’s NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, who watched the game from courtside.
The Lakers once again displayed their unwavering resolve in Game 4, and if this trend continues, fans are certainly in for more edge-of-the-seat thrillers.
