With a 3-0 lead in the series, the No. 1-seeded Nuggets are one win away from making their first-ever NBA Finals appearance. To get there, however, they have to take down LeBron James and the Lakers. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Live updates
Final | Nuggets 113, Lakers 111
Nikola Jokic stood near halfcourt and unleashed a roar that had been years in the making.
Late in the fourth quarter of Monday’s gripping Game 4, after one of Jokic’s sublime dimes found Aaron Gordon for a dunk, Jokic screamed at the history he and the Nuggets were approaching. Not four minutes later, in front of championship banners that Denver was only allowed to dream about, the Nuggets seized the Western Conference crown over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, 113-111.
Their victory punched Denver’s first-ever trip to the NBA Finals by virtue of its first-ever playoff sweep in franchise history, Mike Singer reports. Read the full story.
Fourth-quarter updates
Nikola Jokic wins MVP (9:24 p.m.): Jokic was named the Western Conference Finals MVP. — Joe Nguyen
Nikola Jokic wins Western Conference Finals MVP. pic.twitter.com/4RYnDnFA3g
— Mike Singer (@msinger) May 23, 2023
FINALLY!!! (9:15 p.m.): For the second consecutive possession, LeBron James is denied as Jamal Murray slides over to double James and he drove to the basket. Didn’t even get a shot off. After 47 years, the Nuggets are going to the NBA Finals. — Matt Schubert
One more time (9:13 p.m.): Both teams trade misses and the Lakers will have the ball with four seconds left and trailing the Nuggets 113-111. One. More. Stop. — Matt Schubert
Holding on (9:10 p.m.): Nikola Jokic does what MVPs do in big moments, knifing through a pair of defenders to put the Nuggets ahead 113-111. After a ball deflection, it’s Lakers ball with less than four seconds left on the shot clock. This might be the series. — Matt Schubert
Joker is a wizard (9:04 p.m.): Game 2, Jokic had a circus shot to close out a quarter. Game 4, he has a circus shot to potentially close out the Lakers. After reviewing it, the officials say it’s a 3. Absolutely. Ridiculous. — Matt Schubert
The Sombor Shuffle strikes again (9:03 p.m.): It’s Jokic’s world. We just live in it. — Joe Nguyen
BAAAANG ‼️ pic.twitter.com/s5QeX65GA8
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 23, 2023
Have a day, Aaron Gordon (9 p.m.): The Nuggets’ starting power forward sure picked a great day to have his best game of the series. He has 21 points, six rebounds and five assists on the day. — Joe Nguyen
Five fouls for Jokic (8:53 p.m.): Back-to-back charging fouls on Nikola Jokic. He has five with 5:02 to go in the game. It’s tied at 102-apiece. — Joe Nguyen
Back and forth we go (8:46 p.m.): The Nuggets might’ve caught a break on Jamal Murray’s loose ball save, but given the calls the Lakers have received, it feels right. It’s a two-point game — Nuggets, 100-98 — with 7:19 to go. Denver is clearly desperate to finish this series off tonight. — Matt Schubert
All tied up (8:37 p.m.): It looks like Nikola Jokic is going to go the whole way. Only two reserves have come in for Denver in this game. Do the Nuggets have enough energy to finish this off? 94-94 with 10:05 to go. — Matt Schubert
Uncle Jeff takes a shot (8:35 p.m.): Going up for a rebound early in the fourth quarter, Nuggets forward Jeff Green took a stiff elbow shot from LeBron James. He stays in the game. — Joe Nguyen
Third-quarter updates
12 minutes away (8:28 p.m.): Twelve minutes. That’s all that stands between the Denver Nuggets and their first NBA Finals trip in franchise history. There is no one star in this one. All five starters have scored in double figures. Just about everyone had a moment in a 36-16 Denver third quarter. 94-89, Nuggets going into the fourth quarter. — Matt Schubert
Yet another record (8:28 p.m.): Per the NBA, Nikola Jokic has his eighth triple-double of these playoffs. It breaks Wilt Chamberlain’s mark for most in a single postseason. — Joe Nguyen
With his eighth triple-double of the 2023 Playoffs, Nikola Jokić has set a record for the most triple-doubles in a single postseason (previously held by Wilt Chamberlain, seven in 1967). pic.twitter.com/Uu1Xsm3Wdt
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 23, 2023
Capitalizing at the charity stripe (8:22 p.m.): The Nuggets are 12 for 12 from the free-throw line tonight. — Joe Nguyen
Time to wake up (8:19 p.m.): The Nuggets lead Game 4 for the first time with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter after a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope bucket and a foul. Timeout Darvin Ham. Los Angeles is in panic mode. Denver has tightened up at the defensive end of the floor, and Nikola Jokic has a record-setting eighth triple-double of these playoffs. A half that started with the Nuggets down 15 has flipped. — Bennett Durando
What 15-point deficit? (8:18 p.m.): The Nuggets have their first lead of Game 4 with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter. — Bennett Durando
Nikola Jokic: 20 points, 12 rebonds, 10 assists. That’s his eighth triple-double of the postseason. More importantly, the Nuggets just erased a 15-point deficit in less than eight minutes. They’ve got the lead — 82-81 — in Game 4 of the West Finals, with a chance to sweep. — Mike Singer
Joker being Joker (8:13 p.m.): Don’t look now, but Joker’s closing in on another triple-double … his eighth of the postseason. Would be an NBA record. — Mike Singer
Denver’s run (8:07 p.m.): That 7-0 Nuggets run was all defense. — Bennett Durando
What was a 15-point lead at halftime is down to just eight less than three minutes into the third quarter. Joker stuffs AD, leading to a transition break the other way … which Joker finishes off. All five Nuggets starters in double figures. — Mike Singer
Halftime analysis — Lakers 73, Nuggets 58
Bennett Durando, sports reporter: That was LeBron James’ highest-scoring playoff half (31 points) of his 20-year career. Sometimes you’ve just gotta tip your cap. But the Nuggets don’t intend to, because they’re still salty about the flurry of late foul calls against Nikola Jokic and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Michael Malone earned a technical, and Jokic reached three fouls before the break. Denver might need to reactivate Christian Braun and turn to its depth again for a stretch of the second half.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Lakers 73, Nuggets 58. King James says: Not tonight, Denver.
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: Jamal Murray continues to get to his spots (7 of 13 for 15 points, three assists). Nikola Jokic’s passing has been sublime (10 points, eight assists). And the supporting players have been just fine. The problem: LeBron James (31 points, four assists on 11-of-13 shooting) has been spectacular. Am I slightly skeptical he can keep this up? Yes.
Second-quarter updates
Malone gets a tech (7:43 p.m.): Nikola Jokic suddenly has three fouls, and at least two of them were borderline (and we’re being nice). Fed up, Michael Malone gets T’ed up after a touch foul is called on Jokic on a LeBron James drive. Hard to blame him. It’s 73-58 Lakers at halftime.
Your free-throws at the half: Los Angeles 17, Denver 6 — Matt Schubert
Joker’s fouls (7:42 p.m.): Jokic picks up his third foul. There are A LOT of amused looks on the Nuggets’ bench. Malone just picked up a tech that was coming. They’re all arguing that Rui was grabbing Joker’s body/jersey on the other end. — Mike Singer
Spreading the offense (7:37 p.m.): The Nuggets have four players in double figures in the first half. Jamal Murray has 15, Aaron Gordon has 11 and Nikola Jokic and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have 10 apiece. — Joe Nguyen
3-point problem (7:32 p.m.): The Nuggets are shooting 51.6% from the field, but only 29.4% (5 of 17) from 3. On the other end, the Lakers are 7 of 11 from deep. That’s the difference right now. L.A. with its biggest lead of the series up 55-43 with 5:18 left in the second quarter after LeBron’s tip-in puts him at 27 for the game. — Matt Schubert
Circus 3, then LeBron flips out (7:23 p.m.): Did Nikola Jokic travel twice before making the second most ridiculous 3-pointer of the game (see: LeBron pass 3)? Probably. Does it still count? Of course, this is the NBA!
Kudos to Aaron Gordon for getting under LeBron’s skin on the other end. Gordon had LeBron’s arm wrapped up, and he saw no reason to let go. Totally understandable. Both guys get T’ed up. Because, again, this is the NBA! Lakers up seven midway through the second quarter. — Matt Schubert
Jokic with the insane 3 (7:22 p.m.): Joker throws in a Sombor more preposterous than LeBron’s than AG and LeBron get tied up, maybe exchange a shove or two. AG gets a tech, so does LeBron. Joker emerges from the fracas clapping. — Mike Singer
JOKIC BEATS THE SHOT-CLOCK 🔥
Nuggets look to advance to the NBA Finals for the 1st time in franchise history!
WCF Game 4 | 2Q on ESPN pic.twitter.com/XfKe5ect53
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2023
LBJ has shown up (7:17 p.m.): The good news for the Lakers? They’re getting a big push from LeBron James early. The bad news? That means he might not have enough juice left come the fourth quarter. Down 3-0, I suppose it’s time to empty the tank. It’s 43-33 Lakers after he scores points No. 22 and 23. — Matt Schubert
Sluggish without Joker (7:17 p.m.): The Nuggets start the second quarter with Nikola Jokic on bench. A couple of bad passes capitalized by the Lakers gives LA a double-digit lead. — Joe Nguyen
The King is back (7:14 p.m.): My favorite part of this series has been watching LeBron James warm up before games from under the basket. I’ve made sure to take the time to admire his pregame process for a few minutes before every game, because you never know when you’ll get to experience an athlete like him up-close again. He tends to drain his 3-pointers while warming up. Cool to see him finally make them in the actual game, too. — Bennett Durando
First-quarter analysis — Lakers 34, Nuggets 28
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: The King has his mean face on. LeBron James scores 21 in first quarter. If he goes for 80, a Nuggets’ sweep is out of the question.
First-quarter updates
End of 1st quarter (7:10 p.m.): Apparently, LeBron James saved all his made 3s for Game 1. He’s got 21 points after one quarter and is 4 for 4 from 3 … although we know one of those was complete luck. Where would the Nuggets be without Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (10 points)? 34-28 Lakers after one quarter. — Matt Schubert
MPJ’s slow start (6:56 p.m.): Defensively, Michael Porter Jr.’s looked good. However, he’s 0-for-4 from the 3-point arc. — Joe Nguyen
LeBron’s alley-3 (6:55 p.m.): James tried a pass but went into the basket. — Joe Nguyen
Turns out all LeBron had to do to make a 3-pointer was pass the dang ball. — Bennett Durando
LEBRON FOR THREE 🤯
Unreal bucket… everything going right for him in Q1 on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/K3ACrE7BO4
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2023
Finally one drops (6:51 p.m.): It took six attempts, but the Nuggets finally landed their first 3-pointer — a shot from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. KCP hit another one on the next play. — Joe Nguyen
Channeling royal energy (6:50 p.m.): After a strong start by the Lakers, they’re playing a “down 3-0” hype video in Los Angeles with highlights from Red Sox-Yankees 2004 and Kings-Sharks 2014. The second example got a bit louder of an applause. — Bennett Durando
Sluggish start (6:48 p.m.): Outside of the MPJ defensive fireworks, a pretty listless start from the Nuggets. Jamal Murray just got picked by Dennis Schroder while being lackadaisical with the ball, and Austin Reaves converted it on the other end. It’s 11-4 Lakers with 8:32 left in the first quarter. — Matt Schubert
Lakers’ fast start (6:47 p.m.): Los Angeles is starting hot, leading 11-4 with 8:32 to go in the first quarter. Every one of the Lakers’ starters has scored. Denver, meanwhile, is 2-for-6 from the field and 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. — Joe Nguyen
MPJ goes Karch Kiraly (6:45 p.m.): One block counted. Another went for a foul. But you have to love Michael Porter Jr.’s defensive engagement early on in this one. — Matt Schubert
Lakers shuffle lineup (6:42 p.m.): Rui Hachimura enters the starting lineup for Los Angeles. — Joe Nguyen
Rui Hachimura gets the start for the Lakers in place of Jarred Vanderbilt. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Hachimura has been relatively consistent for the Lakers in this series, and Darvin Ham has to try something. — Matt Schubert
Pre-game updates
I was saying “boo-urns” (6:38 p.m.): Not as many boos for Nikola Jokic on the road as you expect. Lakers fans might be in denial. Or late. Or maybe the Nuggets fans aren’t willing to miss tonight. — Mike Singer
Malone on Melo (5:23 p.m.): Michael Malone on Carmelo Anthony retiring: “He wore that Nuggets jersey with pride. … When you think of Carmelo, you think of one of the more elite scorers in NBA history. … Congratulations to him on a hell of a career, and he’s always welcome. Once a Nugget, always a Nugget.” — Bennett Durando
How they compare (4:30 p.m.): It’s Game 4. Here’s a breakdown from sports reporter Bennett Durando on three keys for the Nuggets tonight.
What do oddsmakers think? BetMGM has the Lakers as 3.5-point favorites to win the game. The over-under is 224.5. — Joe Nguyen
Farewell, Melo (4:30 p.m.): In case you missed it, former Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony announced early today that he is retiring after 19 years in the NBA. The sports world went to social media to send him well wishes. Anthony, 38, steps away with ninth most points scored in NBA history. His 13,970 points in Denver is third-most in franchise history. He spent seven-plus seasons in Denver and led the team to seven straight playoff appearances. — Joe Nguyen
Predictions
Bennett Durando, sports reporter: Dare I pick the Lakers a third consecutive game after already getting shown up by Denver twice? Sure, but with a caveat: This series will be a gentleman’s sweep. No more, no less. The Nuggets are the better team and it’s not all that close. Let’s just spot poor little Los Angeles one game. Pick: Lakers 99, Nuggets 97.
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: It was pretty clear after two games, and hit-you-over-the-head obvious after three — the Nuggets are the better team. By a pretty wide margin. With the best player on the court. Also by a pretty wide margin. So, do I dare pick against them again in this series? No. Never again in this series. And anyone who does should be castigated for their blatant disrespect by Michael Malone postgame. Pick: Nuggets 121, Lakers 110.
Mike Singer, beat writer: History is on Denver’s doorstep, and nothing could be sweeter than ending it in front of a stunned and silent Lakers crowd. The Nuggets aren’t going to play with their food. This series is over. Pick: Nuggets, 114, Lakers 104.
Nuggets-Lakers Game 4: Must reads
Kiszla: Michael Malone with Nuggets five wins away from first NBA championship: “I want to write history.”
It’s the trophy a basketball nerd who grew up to be a billionaire wants the most. And it’s the job of Nuggets coach Michael Malone to turn the impossible dream of Stan Kroenke into reality, before the boss decides there’s a smarter way to spend his money.
If that’s not pressure on a coach blessed with a generational talent named Nikola Jokic, what is?
“I joke with Stan and Josh Kroenke. I see the Rams win the Super Bowl, the Avs win the Stanley Cup and the teams they own win championships. And I tell them: ‘Here with the Nuggets, we have to do our part,’ ” Malone told me late Saturday night, after 37 points by guard Jamal Murray led Denver to a 119-108 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, pushing the Nuggets to within one victory of their first NBA Finals berth in franchise history, Mark Kiszla writes. Read the full story.
Nuggets’ Bruce Brown steals Lakers’ celebration ahead of elimination game: “It felt good”
In another year, or perhaps even just a few months earlier this season, Nuggets sniper Michael Porter Jr. would’ve gladly taken the dagger from 3.
The Nuggets were up 96-94 with just 7:04 left in Saturday’s Game 3, and Porter found himself on the wing with a window. In general, those are the only prerequisites Porter needs to hoist.
But, in a nod to Denver’s unselfishness in their astounding Game 3 victory and Porter’s ongoing maturation, the 6-foot-10 marksman decided to turn a good shot into a great one. He kicked it to the corner and Bruce Brown, who’d been eager to deliver an uppercut to the Lakers’ chances, Mike Singer reports. Read the full story.
Nuggets crush Lakers’ hopes with three greatest strengths, one at a time: “They’re a force. Tough for us to stop.”
With a triad of methods to issue a third successive strike to the heart, the Denver Nuggets humbled Hollywood, turned Crypto.com Arena into a crypt and crushed the Lakers’ hopes once and for all.
Los Angeles isn’t officially done yet, but not even the NBA’s most celebrated franchise has pulled off what LeBron James and company must attempt now. In playoff history, teams to lead a series 3-0 have won the series 149 times out of 149.
To take a 3-0 lead, the Nuggets awed L.A. with an orderly and comprehensive display of their three greatest strengths, one at a time. It left the Lakers with nothing to do except tip their caps, Bennett Durando reports. Read the full story.
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