Nuggets vs. Lakers: Key Insights as Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon Shine in Game 3
In Los Angeles, the Lakers face a perplexing predicament: if they're swept twice in two years, what's the apt term for that—getting swept clean?
Such a scenario is a humbling reality for the Lakers against the Nuggets, a notion difficult to grasp. It's not uncommon for a team to undergo such repetitive drubbings, but considering the star power of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, it's downright astounding.
Yet, reminiscent of their feat in last year's Western Conference Finals, the Nuggets once again have the Lakers firmly in their grasp, ready to assert dominance. Despite allowing L.A. to establish another commanding double-digit lead in the first half—echoing Game 1's 12-point lead, Game 2's 20-point lead, and a 10-point lead after the first quarter in Game 3—it proved to be yet another tantalizing mirage.
Denver's 112-105 triumph on Thursday marked their 11th consecutive victory over the Lakers, spanning regular season and postseason encounters, catapulting the defending champions to a commanding 3-0 lead in the first-round series.
Here are five key insights from Game 3:
1. Lakers were gassed mentally
The Lakers stormed into Game 3 with gusto—Anthony Davis with a thunderous dunk, followed by Rui Hachimura and LeBron James mirroring the aggression with emphatic slams. They seemed feisty, determined, and perhaps even a bit irate.
However, as the game drew to a close, a stark transformation unfolded. Their once spirited demeanor dissolved into despondency, epitomized by LeBron's errant dribble off his knee, D'Angelo Russell's missed open 3-pointer amidst a chorus of boos, and his subsequent refusal to engage with the timeout huddle.
In essence, the team collapsed. Their shooting from beyond the arc faltered miserably (5-for-27), they squandered their first-half advantage, and failed to ignite any hope among the home crowd.
One can't help but ponder the weight of past encounters on Thursday's outcome—how the Lakers' recent struggles against the Nuggets may have eroded their confidence.
Curiously, the previous six playoff clashes between the teams were fiercely contested. However, this one lacked competitiveness by the end of the third quarter, perhaps indicating the mounting pressure on L.A.
Russell endured a dismal 0-for-7 shooting performance, remaining scoreless in 24 minutes, while Davis, despite his impressive 33-point tally, managed just three points in the fourth quarter. The Lakers' defense crumbled under the relentless assault in the paint—clear signs of being outmatched.
"We lost our focus on the meticulousness we exhibited in the first half," LeBron conceded.
2. The Lakers tried bating Jokic into foul trouble
And you know what? It seemed to pay off initially. Davis drew two quick fouls from Jokic within the game's first five minutes, with the latter accumulating three by early in the third quarter.
However, the strategy ultimately faltered. The Lakers failed to capitalize on the opportunity presented when Jokic either (a) played cautiously to avoid further fouls or (b) took a seat on the bench.
Historically, the Nuggets were vulnerable whenever Jokic was off the court, making Davis' aggressive approach early in the game appear prudent. Yet, Denver didn't buckle under the pressure. Instead, Michael Porter Jr., Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon stepped up to the plate. A 12-point lead for the Lakers early in the second quarter gradually dissipated.
Even when Jokic took a breather for the initial three minutes of the fourth quarter, the Nuggets' lead... expanded.
"There's a sense of confidence that comes with being champions," remarked Nuggets coach Michael Malone. "Whenever we face adversity, we remain composed, stick together, and find a way to claw back into the game. Winning a championship has instilled tremendous belief in this group."
3. The Nuggets are tough when Gordon gets rough
The Nuggets' winning formula revolves around the dynamic pick-and-roll tandem of Murray and Jokic. It's a strategy that proved instrumental in their championship triumph last season—a combination of a dominant big man and an agile guard wreaking havoc on opposing defenses.
Yet, there's another avenue to victory: Aaron Gordon's involvement. When he asserts himself in the paint, catching lobs and backdoor passes from Jokic and his teammates for thunderous dunks, it adds another dimension to Denver's offense.
On Thursday, Gordon executed this role to perfection, leaving the Lakers befuddled as they either left him unguarded or failed to box him out. The result? Playoff career highs of 29 points and 15 rebounds for Gordon. While such a performance may have seemed ambitious for him in the playoffs, if he consistently delivers anything close to that level, Denver will ascend to new heights.
"Aaron Gordon was simply outstanding," remarked a beaming Malone.
4. Nuggets finally play their A-game
That performance should send shivers down the spines of the rest of the league. Beyond the game's initial eight minutes, the Nuggets asserted their dominance.
What's more, they didn't rely heavily on Jokic and Murray alone, as four players racked up 20 points or more. This marked Denver's first truly comprehensive victory of the series, with nearly every player who hit the court contributing impactful moments.
It was a showcase of championship-caliber chemistry, with the Nuggets leveraging their familiarity to generate open looks and easy scores. Moreover, their defense has proven formidable in crucial moments throughout the first three games.
"It's like we're all on the same wavelength with this group," Gordon remarked. "There's a sort of mental connection among the starting five."
And as for Jokic, who came within a hair's breadth of a triple-double?
"He's a basketball savant," Gordon praised.
5. Lakers one loss from a long summer
Here's the stark reality: the Lakers now face an uphill battle, needing to win four consecutive games against a team that has defeated them 11 times in a row. This includes four consecutive losses last summer in the Western Conference Finals and three straight defeats in this current series.
In simpler terms, it's a near-impossible task, especially considering that teams trailing 3-0 in a best-of-seven series have never managed to overcome such a deficit—currently standing at a daunting 0-for-151.
As for the speculation surrounding which role players will stay or depart this offseason, and whether coach Darvin Ham's tenure is in jeopardy, those questions pale in comparison to the singular issue at hand: What implications will losing this series, particularly if it ends in a sweep, have on LeBron's future and mindset?
Since joining the Lakers in 2018, LeBron has epitomized the championship-or-bust mentality of the franchise. While he has delivered one title already, the reality looms that he will turn 40 in December, and the inevitable decline will eventually arrive.
With a player option for next season, LeBron is likely to decline it and accept a two-year extension. However, there's also speculation about the potential for the Lakers to draft his son Bronny, possibly as soon as June—a factor that adds another layer of complexity to LeBron's future plans.
Faced with the reality of competing in the SoFi Play-In Tournament and now staring down the prospect of a swift first-round exit, LeBron must confront the question of whether he believes the Lakers can assemble a team capable of besting a prime Jokic.
The harsh truth is that the NBA landscape has shifted, and the league no longer solely revolves around LeBron—it's now dominated by another figure with a fervent passion for equines.
Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for over 25 years. You can reach him via email, access his archive, and follow him on X.
Please note that the views expressed here do not necessarily align with those of the NBA, its franchises, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
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