Kosport Magazine: Lakers Keep Their Playoff Hopes Alive with Win Over Nuggets
The Los Angeles Lakers were facing a must-win situation in Game 4 of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. Down 3-0, they needed to avoid being swept for the second year in a row. And they did just that, defeating the Nuggets 119-108 in a hard-fought battle.
The atmosphere at Crypto.com Arena was electric as the Lakers fought to stay alive in the playoffs. Shiny purple and gold streamers rained down from the ceiling, symbolizing not only the Lakers’ win, but also their first victory over Denver in nearly 500 days.
LeBron James, who scored 30 points and had the most 30-point games in elimination scenarios with 19, summed up the team’s mindset perfectly: “The only opportunity for us is just to play the next game. And we’ve given ourselves another life. We’ve given ourselves another lifeline, and it’s a one-game series for us.”
While the odds may be stacked against them, the Lakers are no strangers to overcoming adversity. In 2016, James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals against the 73-win Golden State Warriors. And now, they have a chance to do it again.
But first, they must focus on Game 5. And as Lakers coach Darvin Ham said, “It took everybody” to secure the win in Game 4. Anthony Davis was masterful, scoring 25 points and tying a career playoff high with 23 rebounds. He also dished out six assists and proved to be a dominant force against Denver’s Nikola Jokic.
But it wasn’t just Davis who stepped up. D’Angelo Russell, who had been struggling in the series, outplayed Nuggets star Jamal Murray and scored 21 points. And the Lakers’ bench, led by Austin Reaves with 21 points and 6 assists, also played a crucial role in the victory.
The Lakers’ togetherness and growth as a team was on full display in Game 4. And now, they must carry that same mindset into Game 5 if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
“We have a lot of confidence in our team,” Davis said. “Our confidence was never lost at any point in the game.”
For a team that has faced its fair share of challenges this season, there’s no doubt that the Lakers are ready for the challenge ahead. As Reaves put it, “Anytime we can keep ourselves floating above water, we have an opportunity to do something special. And we’re ready for the challenge.”
