Aaron Gordon showcased a stellar performance with 29 points and 15 rebounds, complemented by Nikola Jokic's 24 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists, propelling the Denver Nuggets to a commanding 112-105 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series.
The defending NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, extended their dominance over the Los Angeles Lakers, securing their 11th consecutive victory against LeBron James and his team, led by Jamal Murray's 22 points.
Michael Porter Jr. contributed 20 points as Denver seized control in the third quarter, marking their fifth consecutive road win over the Lakers, setting the stage for a potential sweep reminiscent of last season's Western Conference finals.
With Game 4 scheduled for Saturday night in Los Angeles, the Lakers find themselves in an unprecedented 0-3 playoff deficit, facing the daunting task of overcoming history to avoid elimination.
Despite Anthony Davis' impressive performance of 33 points and 15 rebounds, accompanied by LeBron James' 26 points and nine assists, the Lakers failed to halt their postseason losing streak against Denver, stretching back to 2022.
The Lakers' offensive struggles were evident, particularly with D'Angelo Russell's scoreless outing and their inability to capitalize on 3-point opportunities, highlighting the Nuggets' defensive prowess.
Denver's depth and versatility were on full display, with Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray stepping up alongside Nikola Jokic, showcasing the Nuggets' formidable playoff pedigree.
As the Lakers face the possibility of an early playoff exit, injuries to key players like Jarred Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish, and Christian Wood add further uncertainty to their postseason aspirations, leaving questions about their lineup and strategy moving forward.