The Denver Nuggets secured their spot in the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history on Monday, thanks to a dominant sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, sealing a 111-113 result in the fourth game of the Western Conference finals.
Guided by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the duo that led the West during the regular season, Denver now faces the Eastern Conference champion in a bid for the franchise’s first championship. The East final concluded with the Miami Heat defeating the Boston Celtics in a three games to none sweep.
Denver’s emphatic finish over the Lakers marked their fourth straight win in the West finals, delivering a resounding statement to a storied opponent. LeBron James delivered a massive performance, playing the final minutes with only four seconds remaining in regulation after resting for much of the concluding stretch. His attempts to send the game to overtime fell just short, misfiring on a closer look that sailed wide and then getting blocked on a potential game-tying attempt by Aaron Gordon.
At 38 years old, LeBron authored one of his most remarkable nights, finishing with 40 points on 15-of-25 shooting, 10 rebounds and 9 assists in a memorable showing. He opened with a blazing start, scoring 21 points in the first quarter and reaching 31 points by halftime, a personal playoff half-high.
Yet the Lakers could not sustain that momentum. The effort gradually wore down as Denver tightened its defense and execution. Jokic posted 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists, earning the Magic Johnson MVP award for the Western Conference finals and recording his eighth triple-double of these playoffs, a new benchmark surpassing Wilt Chamberlain’s seven in 1967. Murray chipped in 25 points, with Gordon adding 22 as the Nuggets pulled away during a pivotal third quarter (16-36), maintaining control in a tight, rotation-limited battle where Mike Malone relied on seven players while Darvin Ham used eight Lakers. Anthony Davis finished with roughly 21 points and 14 rebounds for Los Angeles, a Lakers team that closed its season after a rough start and a spirited playoff run that included beating Memphis and Golden State along the way.
LeBron, keep pushing
The Lakers opened with aggressive energy as Dennis Schroder and Rui Hachimura replaced D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt, forming a high-powered lineup around LeBron, Davis, and Austin Reaves. The early minutes saw LeBron convert 11 of 13 field goals, including a clean 4-for-4 from long range, as he fueled an offensive burst. A fortunate triple from LeBron during a plays mishap moment became a talking point, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added three for the visitors. The Lakers held the lead into the end of the first period, with Davis contributing strong rebound numbers and Jokic-Six assists painting a different story for Denver.
Two consecutive three-pointers from Schroder and a LeBron tip-in helped the Lakers claim their first substantial lead at 55-43 midway through the second, exploiting some defensive gaps. Denver faced 36 points in the paint in the half and entered halftime trailing 73-58, with Tristan Thompson briefly entering the lineup as Los Angeles tried every option to reset the series momentum.
Denver on the rise
The Lakers have shown periods of irregularity across four quarters, a recurring theme that resurfaced in the third period. Denver seized the moment, turning a 16-36 run in the third into a strong statement as Jokic drove the comeback with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the frame, capitalizing on the Lakers’ shooting slumps. The Nuggets converted seven of 24 attempts in that stretch, yet outworked their opponent in the crucial moments, securing extra possessions with six offensive rebounds. Caldwell-Pope provided a late boost with a critical finish after multiple offensive boards, while Porter Jr. and Gordon complemented the attack with timely baskets, contributing to a burst that shifted the trajectory of the game. LeBron’s late-phase energy moments were met with a resilient Denver defense that kept the Lakers from steady scoring during the final stretch.
During the closing period, Jokic drew fouls and delivered a late surge, even as Davis rebalanced the scoreboard for the Lakers with five minutes remaining. The energy culminated in a dramatic finish, with Jokic delivering a fadeaway on one leg and a clutch sequence in the final possession that sealed the Nuggets’ historic advancement. The team celebrated a long-awaited Finals berth as Los Angeles watched its season conclude in a tough, hard-fought fashion.