Denver Nuggets Sweep Los Angeles Lakers making it their first NBA Finals appearance
Despite LeBron James' valiant efforts and his impressive scoring record in the playoffs throughout his illustrious career, it was not enough to prevent Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets from securing their first-ever NBA Finals appearance.
In a thrilling playoff showdown with James, Jokic took control in the second half and recorded yet another triple-double on Monday night, guiding the Nuggets to a 113-111 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena.
Nikola Jokic, recognized as the Western Conference Finals MVP by Magic Johnson, showcased his brilliance with an extraordinary performance, amassing 40 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Meanwhile, LeBron James exhibited his scoring prowess by racking up an impressive 31 points in the first half.
In a remarkable feat, at the age of 38, James etched his name in NBA history as the oldest player to score 40 points in a playoff game. Nonetheless, his last-ditch effort to push the game into overtime was thwarted by Aaron Gordon, who blocked his shot with a mere 1.4 seconds remaining.
As time expired, Murray celebrated jubilantly, while James could only watch, and the Denver bench swarmed the court. The Nuggets' journey to the NBA Finals has been a long time coming, taking them 46 seasons, the most in NBA history, to reach this stage. Up until Monday night, the Nuggets had never qualified for the Finals, accumulating a total of 93 playoff wins.
Nevertheless, the Nuggets are determined to focus on securing four more victories. With the impressive duo of Murray and Jokic leading the charge, an NBA championship now feels within closer reach than ever before.
Having established an impressive 3-0 series lead, Jokic openly expressed his "concern" rather than fear regarding LeBron James' capacity to rally the Lakers. Recognizing James as a player capable of anything, Jokic's words appeared to foreshadow the game's ultimate outcome.
Right from the opening moments of the match, James showcased unwavering determination, exhibiting a resolute refusal to succumb in a playoff series leading to the NBA Finals—an unprecedented feat in his career. Previously, he had encountered two defeats in the Finals, against the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs, respectively.
To add to his motivation, James conducted his pregame warm-up while rehearsals for the Western Conference Finals trophy presentation were taking place.
As the game unfolded, James made a strong impact, converting seven of his first nine shots, including an impressive pass that unexpectedly found its way behind the three-point arc. He concluded the first quarter with 21 points and continued to shine by sinking all four of his three-point attempts, tallying 31 points at halftime, his highest playoff scoring total in six months.
However, it was during the third quarter that the Nuggets seized control, going on a dominant 34-14 run that propelled them into the final quarter with a five-point advantage.
In the pivotal moments of the fourth quarter, with less than a minute left on the clock, the two-time MVP Jokic delivered a crucial basket, granting the Nuggets a 113-111 lead. Defensively, Denver effectively foiled LeBron James' attempt to even the score, courtesy of Aaron Gordon's impeccably timed block.
With this victory, the Denver Nuggets now await the outcome of the Boston Celtics/Miami Heat series, as they steadfastly pursue their quest for an NBA championship.