Denver Nuggets Complete Sweep of Los Angeles Lakers, Advance to NBA Finals

The Denver Nuggets have completed a 4-0 sweep over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. In a fierce battle against a Lakers team desperately fighting for survival, the Nuggets secured a 113-111 win on Monday night, advancing to the NBA finals for the first time in franchise history.

The @nuggets advance to the #NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV!

DEN: 113
LAL: 111 pic.twitter.com/sJk3xAHQ95
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2023

On their last legs, the Lakers came out swinging, jumping out to a 74-58 halftime lead, but the Nuggets battled back, dominating the third quarter 36-16 and entering the fourth with a 94-90 lead. The teams traded haymakers in a tense, tight final stretch, but despite foul trouble from Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets survived and prevailed, securing their first sweep of the playoffs.

It was a tough, complete team effort from the Nuggets. Jokic compiled yet another triple-double, his eighth of this postseason, totalling 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists. Jamal Murray came through in the clutch yet again, hitting 10 of 18 field goal attempts for 25 points and stuffing LeBron James to seal the win in the game's final seconds. Finally, Eric Gordon provided 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. The Nuggets' poise and flexibility, as well Jokic's ability to create opportunities for teammates even on nights when he can't dominate as a scorer, should make them favorites to end the season lifting the Larry O'Brien trophy.

As for the Lakers, a valiant effort simply fell short. James endured and excelled, picking his spots and fighting through at times obvious exhaustion to score a game-high 40 points, his most in the 2023 postseason. He was efficient as well as prolific, hitting 15 of 25 field goal attempts while adding 10 rebounds and nine assists over a marathon 48-minute performance. Anthony Davis pitched in with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while Austin Reaves had yet another effective night with 17 points on six of 11 field goal attempts.

As well as James played, he'll enter the offseason with the bitter taste of missed opportunity. Set to turn 39 years old this December, the 19-time All-Star can't have many heroic efforts like tonight's left in him. With limited avenues for improving the roster, it's difficult to imagine the Lakers having a better shot at a title any time soon.

The Nuggets will face the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. The Heat hold a 3-0 lead and host the Celtics for Game 4 on Tuesday night at 8:30 PM ET.