SUMMARY
- The Lakers faced another troubling loss against the Nuggets in Game 3.
- Darvin Ham complimented the Nuggets' style of play while the Lakers face a 3-0 deficit.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers only have one more chance to redeem themselves against the Denver Nuggets to avoid another playoff sweep. LA was quite successful during the 2023 NBA Playoffs as they managed to beat the defending champions. So this isn’t unfamiliar territory for them, especially because they’ve met the Nuggets in the playoffs before as well.
Three down #MileHighPlayoffs | #Road2Gold pic.twitter.com/b7BcJAaKhS
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 26, 2024
Game 3 was a huge tragedy for the Lakers as the Nuggets walked away with a third victory. Every player on Denver’s starting lineup played a factor in their win. Four of the Nuggets’ starters scored over 20 points and Nikola Jokic wasn’t their best player offensively. Aaron Gordon stepped up and scored 29 points while Jokic 24 points along with 15 rebounds. Teammate is why Darvin Ham believes the Nuggets have been successful over the years, especially in this series.
Darvin Ham gives props to Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets for playing top-tier team basketball
The Lakers haven’t had too much success nor have they shown consistency, unlike the Nuggets. Darvin Ham detailed aspects of the Nuggets roster and claims their chemistry is what helps the overcome his Lakers team. During the post-game press conference, he said, “They have the championship confidence. That starting unit has been together for a long time. Been through some wars together. Their net rating is off the charts as a starting group. And they have playmakers, they have guys that step up and make plays.”
He added, “The biggest thing I think is understated is, they do the little things. They crash the offensive glass. They screen hard, [physically] consistently. And they have guys that come out and make plays for one another. It’s just as simple as that. When you have that type of chemistry, it’s tough. They don’t settle, they come out and they impose their will on the game on both sides of the ball.”
Since 2020, the Nuggets have faced the Lakers twice in the playoffs. Both times, the Nuggets showed full-fledged dominance over the Lakers. Now, LA has lost 11 consecutive games against Jokic and Co. They haven’t found success against this team since Russell Westbrook parted ways with them last season.
LeBron James admittedly feels the pressure as Lakers fail to secure Game 3
LeBron James had some words for facing another 3-0 deficit against the Nuggets. While the Lakers tried everything they could to win, it was D’Angelo Russell’s scoreless performance had impacted the outcome. James addressed the 3-0 situation saying, “I mean, you take it one game at a time at this point. If you lose, you go home. So, you come up with the mindset let’s get one, forcing Game 5 and then we go from there.”
LeBron:
“It’s just basketball. At the end of the day, it’s just basketball.”
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 26, 2024
He added, “As long as you still have life, you still have belief. I just think you play until the wheels fall off. That’s what it’s always about for me.” James had 26 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and a block during the game. Anthony Davis led the team in scoring with 33 points and 15 rebounds. James admitted that he feels the pressure and it’s inevitable in the playoffs.