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.
