With their season on the line and trailing by two in the game’s final seconds, the Lakers predictably entrusted their fate to LeBron James. The Nuggets, however, had no intention of letting Los Angeles extend the series.
On the game’s final possession, James received the inbounds pass and made a beeline for the hoop with four seconds remaining. He was met by a host of defenders at the rim, with Denver locking down when it needed to the most to deny the four-time champion and secure the franchise’s first appearance in the NBA Finals.
The primary defender on the play was Aaron Gordon, but he also received help from Jamal Murray, who got his hands on the ball and jarred it loose as James rose for the shot. Nikola Jokic also protected the rim to keep James from tying the game and sending it to overtime, securing a 113–111 victory.
The @nuggets advance to the #NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV!
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2023
DEN: 113
LAL: 111 pic.twitter.com/sJk3xAHQ95
The Nuggets were able to storm back from a 15-point halftime deficit to complete the sweep on Monday night thanks to their efforts on the defensive end of the floor. Los Angeles scored 73 points in the first half, but Denver rallied by outscoring the Lakers 36–16 in the third quarter. Overall, the Nuggets held Los Angeles to just 38 points in the second half.
All five Nuggets starters scored in double figures, led by Jokic, who finished with 30 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists for the night. James played all but four seconds of the game, leading all scorers with 40 points to go along with 10 rebounds and nine assists on 15-for-25 shooting from the field.
