Incredible! Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets defied the naysayers and achieved the impossible: snatching victory from the jaws of the LeBron-led Los Angeles Lakers and advancing to the NBA Finals in convincing fashion by way of a sweep.
However, the major story after the game is whether will LeBron retire, but that is for later in this column.
The Lakers superstar gave an extraordinary performance, blazing bright with an astonishing 31-point career-high in the first half alone. It was a heroic feat for the 38-year-old, who played an astounding 4 SECONDS shy of the entire game.
But despite LeBron’s best efforts, he couldn’t save the day for the Lakers, as the Nuggets came out on top, proving they are the best team in the Western Conference. And the win came at a cost – LeBron’s future in the league is now uncertain.
Will he return for a 21st season?
Will LeBron retire from the NBA?
Yes, you read that heading correctly: Will LeBron retire after his 20th season?
LeBron James just dropped a bombshell. After his recent press conference, the question on everyone’s minds is: will LeBron retire after his 20th season?
James left everyone guessing with a cryptic quote, stating that he had much to think about regarding his future in the game.
“I got a lot to think about,” said James. Just personally, with me moving forward with the game of basketball, I got a lot to think about.”
Was it a spur-of-the-moment remark after a tough loss, or is he seriously considering stepping off the court for good? Could it be James reflecting after his good friend Carmelo Anthony said goodbye to the NBA?
As if that wasn’t enough to stir up some serious hype, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes just revealed that James is actually contemplating retirement. Yes, you read that right – the King himself might be walking away from the game.
With two years and $97 million remaining on his contract but a player option in the final year, anything is possible. However, this news has left the basketball world stunned!
BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is unsure if he’ll be with team when 2023-24 season starts in fall and retirement is under consideration, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. https://t.co/7M3WuEzwOL
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 23, 2023
The Lakers’ crushing defeat against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals has led to a significant revelation: LeBron’s retirement from the NBA may no longer be a far-fetched idea.
The question of his retirement was nowhere near our minds before the game, but now, it’s a possibility that cannot be ignored.
Nuggets, Jokic make history with Sweep of Lakers
In an awe-inspiring comeback, the Denver Nuggets overturned a 15-point halftime deficit to triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers with a nail-biting 113-111 victory on Monday night.
This stunning four-game sweep propelled them into the NBA Finals for the first time in their 47-year franchise history.
Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets’ formidable center and winner of the Magic Johnson Western Conference MVP award, amassed a staggering 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists in this historic win in the City of Angels.
His eighth triple-double this postseason surpasses Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most all-time in a single playoff run.
“We don’t give up,” Jokic said on the ESPN broadcast. “I’ve been saying this the last five years, when we were bad, we were good, we don’t give up. That’s what happened today. They jumped on us in the first half; they were aggressive, and they were scoring easy.
“But in the second half, we turned the page, and everybody was stepping up.”
Two-time MVP Jokic scored the decisive basket with mere seconds remaining, edging the Nuggets ahead at 113-111.
Defensively, Denver thwarted Lakers superstar LeBron James twice from tying the score, culminating in Aaron Gordon’s spectacular block of James’ layup attempt as the clock ran out.
“It’s incredible,” exclaimed Jamal Murray, who contributed 25 points for the top-seeded Nuggets. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s surreal. We’re going to keep making history; that’s the thing. We’re going to keep that mindset.”
Denver head coach Michael Malone reflected, “I think we understood what was at stake. “You don’t want to give a team like that [any chance]. That’s LeBron James over there!”
