Lakers star LeBron James drives to the basket as the Denver Nuggets’ Peyton Watson defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis looks to shoot as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell shoots in front of the Denver Nuggets’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, right, and Nikola Jokic during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves, right, shoots as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray drives to the basket in front of Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, left, and forward Rui Hachimura, right, during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray drives to the basket in front of Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, center, during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray gets to the basket for a layup during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers coach Darvin Ham looks on from the sideline during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James shoots as Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson (7) defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. James had 30 points in a 119-108 win. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis shoots as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic reaches for a rebound in front of the Lakers’ LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis, right, during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell drives to the basket past the Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr., right, as Nuggets star Nikola Jokic looks on during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic controls the ball as Lakers star Anthony Davis defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James, left, sits on the bench during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, right, and Peyton Watson, back, defend during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone looks on from the sideline during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis looks to shoot as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray shoots as Lakers star Anthony Davis defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis reacts during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James drives to the basket as the Denver Nuggets’ Peyton Watson defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James reacts after going out of bounds during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James shoots in front of Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis looks to shoot as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, center, and guard Jamal Murray defend during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis reaches for the ball over Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. Davis had 25 points and 23 rebounds as the Lakers won, 119-108, to avoid being swept. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Taurean Prince drives to the basket on front of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone reacts on the sideline during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James shoots in front of the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, right, and Aaron Gordon during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. loses the ball as Lakers star Anthony Davis, right, defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, left, and forward Aaron Gordon defend during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Singer Adele and sports agent Rich Paul, right, look on from a courtside seat during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round playoff series between the Lakers and the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis reaches for a rebound during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic takes a 3-point shot as Lakers star Anthony Davis defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James shoots in front of the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15), Jamal Murray (27) and Aaron Gordon, top, during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, shoots in front of Lakers star Anthony Davis (3) during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James passes the ball from below the basket as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives to the basket as Lakers guard Austin Reaves defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis, right, drives to the basket as the Denver Nuggets’ Peyton Watson defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope passes the ball as Lakers guard Spencer Dinwiddie, left, defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James dunks in front of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, left, and teammate Nikola Jokic during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star LeBron James dunks in front of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, left, and teammate Nikola Jokic during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic shoots as Lakers star Anthony Davis defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis, right, shoots as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis reaches for a rebound in front of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — With all the Lakers have been through this season – especially against the Denver Nuggets – a nervous excitement permeated throughout Crypto.com Arena for Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night.
Because Game 4 started similarly to the series’ previous three games, all of which the Nuggets had rallied to win to give themselves an opportunity to sweep the Lakers out of the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
But the Lakers, led by strong performances from LeBron James (30 points), Anthony Davis (25 points, 23 rebounds, six assists) and D’Angelo Russell (21 points) finally cracked the Nuggets’ mastery of this rivalry, staving off another Denver comeback attempt in a 119-108 victory that extends their season.
The Lakers’ victory ended their losing streak to the Nuggets at 11 games, with their previous victory against Denver (including seven postseason games) coming on Dec. 16, 2022, and was a performance more worthy of a team that rolled into the postseason with 12 wins in 15 games.
Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is Monday night in Denver.
“Beautiful day to be alive in order to stay alive,” Coach Darvin Ham said. “That was the message [Friday] and the message [Saturday]. Just win one game. And we’ve got to re-focus, re-calibrate and have that same mindset going up to Denver.”
Trailing by as much as 19 points midway through the fourth quarter (106-87) after a Russell pull-up 3-pointer, the Nuggets kept trying to muster another comeback.
A 6-0 Denver run cut the Lakers’ lead to 13 with a little over four minutes left. The Nuggets kept cutting into the lead, trimming the deficit to seven multiple times.
But the 39-year-old James, who scored 14 of his points in the fourth quarter on 6-for-8 shooting, helped make sure the Lakers weren’t going to be swept by the Nuggets again, carrying the team late in his 21st NBA season.
He scored six straight Laker points to give them a 113-103 lead with 1:31 left.
“We found a way to score and get stops and then at some point we stopped getting good looks, stopped putting the ball in the hole, and then they find a way within their system to continue to be efficient and get good quality shots,” Russell said. “For us, that’s something we struggle with. For us to focus on it this game to continue to get good shots, to continue to push the pace, it’s something that happens, keep going, next play mentality. We kept the pace in the game up and it played in our favor.”
Austin Reaves (21 points on 7-for-15 shooting to go with six assists) scored the Lakers’ last six points, including making four free throws in the last 43 seconds with the Nuggets intentionally fouling, to help seal the victory.
Russell bounced back from going scoreless in the Game 3 loss, shooting 8 for 15 from the field on Saturday after missing all seven of his shots on Thursday.
“Trying to be as humble as I can, I’ve been through it all before and I kinda prepared myself mentally before I go through it again,” Russell said. “I prepared for this all summer, all season. I tried to prepare myself for these times now when everyone is watching, everyone has something to say. I try to stay to myself and to my own opinions and emotions.”
The Lakers, who never trailed, dominated the interior with 72 points in the paint and held the Nuggets to nine offensive rebounds and five second-chance points, which had been an area of weakness for most of the series.
Davis (20 defensive rebounds) grabbed more than half of the Lakers’ defensive boards and had half of their total rebounds (46), matching his career playoff high.
“And for A.D. to clean glass – 20 of them on the defensive end – it’s just key for our offense,” James said. “It’s just key for a lot of things that we want to do and I think A.D. doesn’t have to prove anything to anybody. He’s one of the best bigs we have in the game, one of the best bigs in the world. And he’s showing that again through the first four games.”
The Lakers had 44 points in the paint during the first half alone on their way to a 61-48 halftime lead, their fourth halftime advantage of the series.
“The paint (defense) was a joke,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “Every huddle, I sounded like a broken record tonight. Every huddle was, ‘Paint, paint, paint.’ (In) Game 3, they had 70 and we found a way to win. Tonight, they had 72. That’s an incredible number. … I just didn’t think we had the requisite physicality or urgency. This did not seem like a closeout game.”
The Nuggets won the third quarter for the fourth consecutive game, but only by a two-point margin (32-30), their slimmest third-quarter margin of the series so far, allowing the Lakers to take a 91-80 lead into the fourth – a lead they didn’t relinquish in the fourth.
“You kind of get that monkey off your back,” Davis said. “The difference in the first three games, and actually all the games that we have lost to them in a row and [Saturday] is that we just scored in the second half: 30 in the third and 28 and fourth.
“Usually, we’re in the low 20s or even high teens and they’re scoring big. So a team like that, they’re gonna continue to score and we just have to continue to score as well. That was the difference.”
Lakers fall flat against Nuggets in Game 3, on brink of being swept again
Nikola Jokic finished with 33 points, 14 rebounds and 14 rebounds for his second triple-double of the series and the 18th of his postseason career.
Michael Porter Jr., who answered most of the Lakers’ runs with big shot after big shot, had 27 points on 10-for-20 shooting to go with 11 rebounds. Jamal Murray’s shooting struggles continued, with the guard scoring 22 points on 9-for-23 shooting.
The Nuggets also lost a closeout game in last season’s first round while up 3-0 on Minnesota, but Denver won that series in five games and lost only three more times on the way to its first NBA championship, including a sweep of the Lakers in the Western Conference finals.
“The only opportunity for us is just to play the next game,” James said. “And we’ve given ourselves another life. We’ve given ourselves another lifeline and it’s a one-game series for us.
“Monday’s game is the most important game of the season for us and we understand that and we know that so it’s that stage where you lose, you’re done. You win and you keep going. So, it’s not much to talk about.”
Reaves agreed.
“We get another opportunity to go play one more game, and if we win, come back and play another one and keep moving from there,” Reaves said. “Odds aren’t stacked in our favor, but anytime we can keep ourselves floating above water and give ourselves an opportunity to do something special, we’re up for the challenge.”
Anthony Davis and LeBron James come up HUGE for the @Lakers to force a Game 5!
LeBron James on the Lakers’ mindset: “It’s a one-game series for us. Monday’s game is the most important game of the season for us, we know that.” pic.twitter.com/d4x9rfihAC
“We just wanted to come out in the third quarter and set the tone on both ends on the floor and we were able to do that.” Anthony Davis with @LakersReporter on the difference in tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/TGlIrtTdSY
Austin Reaves: “Any time we can keep ourselves floating above water, we have an opportunity to go do something special and we’re ready for that challenge.” pic.twitter.com/VY8eDVpcVO
