On April 26, Beijing time, the NBA playoffs continued. In today's Western Conference matchup, the Lakers lost 105-112 at home to the Nuggets, trailing 0-3 in the series and only one game away from elimination.
In today's game, James played a total of 42 minutes, 12 of 20 shots, including 1 of 6 three-pointers and 0 of 0 free throws, with a total of 26 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, including 3 turnovers, with a plus/minus of -8!
After today's loss, James and the Lakers have suffered an 11-game losing streak against the Nuggets, including two consecutive seasons of the regular season, as well as last year's Western Conference finals and now the first-round series. It's been 497 days since the last time the Lakers beat the Nuggets!
In addition, the Lakers are now facing a terrible situation of falling behind 0-3. And in the history of the NBA, there has never been a team that has come back from a 3-0 deficit. In other words, James and the Lakers' elimination by the Nuggets is almost a foregone conclusion. If the Lakers can't win the next game, James will be swept for the fourth time in his career.
James has been swept three times before: 2007 Finals: Cavaliers 0-4 Spurs, 2018 Finals: Cavaliers 0-4 Warriors, 2023 Western Conference Finals: Lakers 0-4 Nuggets. If the Nuggets can win in G4, Jokic will become the first star to knock James out twice.
In addition, throughout James' entire career, he has only been out of the playoffs in the first round once before, which occurred in the playoffs in 2021, when they lost 2-4 to the Suns in the first round. If eliminated by the Nuggets, James will have his second playoff first-round trip in his career.
According to the schedule, the Lakers will continue to host the Nuggets on April 28, can James and the Lakers get a win, or will they be swept by the Nuggets for the second year in a row? Let's wait and see.