In Game 3, the Nuggets defeated the Lakers 112-105 to go within one win of a sweep. Gordon and Jokic

In Los Angeles, the Denver Nuggets, boasting one championship win and a resilient veteran core, pose a formidable challenge for any NBA team. Particularly daunting are they for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, who find themselves on the brink of elimination after Denver extended their staggering winning streak in this lopsided rivalry to 11 games.

Aaron Gordon notched a career-high in the playoffs with 29 points and 15 rebounds, while Nikola Jokic contributed 24 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists, propelling the Nuggets to a commanding 112-105 victory over the Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series. Jamal Murray also chipped in with 22 points, aiding the defending NBA champions in securing their seventh consecutive playoff triumph against James and the Lakers.

Denver has exhibited resilience throughout the series, consistently rallying from double-digit deficits in all three games. Despite their dominance, the Nuggets expressed respect for their opponent, acknowledging the challenge posed by the Lakers. Jokic emphasized the escalating difficulty of facing the same team repeatedly, praising the Lakers’ talent and resilience.

Michael Porter Jr. contributed 20 points to Denver’s victory, as they seized control in the third quarter and comfortably closed out the game, marking their fifth consecutive road win against the Lakers, including last season’s Western Conference finals sweep.

Jokic noted, “Every game gets tougher. They had a 20-point lead in Denver, and today they were up by 12 in the first half. Playing the same team repeatedly is really challenging. They’re a tough opponent, and each game is a tough battle. We’re often playing catch-up, and they’re a talented team. Closing out a game against them is really difficult.”

Porter Jr. chimed in, “Winning games is enjoyable. The media might focus on the 11 straight victories, but it’s tough. Beating this team isn’t easy. In the last game, we had to fight tooth and nail to come back from a 20-point deficit. But, of course, we love winning, and the more we win, the better.”

Denver seized control in the third quarter and smoothly navigated the final minutes, securing their fifth consecutive road win against Los Angeles, a streak that began with their sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Porter Jr. added, “It’s enjoyable to win games. I don’t think anyone other than the media really pays attention to the 11 straight victories, because it’s tough. Beating this team isn’t easy. In the last game, we had to fight tooth and nail to come back from a 20-point deficit. But, of course, we love winning, and the more we can win, the better.”

Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever recovered from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Anthony Davis contributed 33 points and 15 rebounds, while James added 26 points and nine assists for the Lakers, who haven’t defeated the Nuggets since Dec. 16, 2022, and have seldom appeared capable of ending that streak.

James reflected, “Our mindset is to win one, force a Game 5, and then take it from there. As long as we have life, we have belief. I believe in playing until the very end, regardless of the circumstances. That’s always been my mindset, and I know Davis feels the same way.”

Austin Reaves contributed 22 points for the Los Angeles Lakers, who entered the postseason on a strong note with impressive play since the holidays. They secured the seventh seed with a notable play-in victory over New Orleans. However, despite winning 12 of their last 15 games leading into this series, they now find themselves on the brink of elimination, facing the possibility of failing to advance past the first round for the third time in four years since their 2020 NBA championship win.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham acknowledged the championship-caliber confidence of the Denver Nuggets, emphasizing the cohesion of their starting group, which has been together for an extended period. He praised the Nuggets’ ability to step up and make key plays.

While Anthony Davis and LeBron James continued to perform admirably, the Lakers struggled with their supporting cast. They endured a poor start from beyond the arc in Game 3, missing 15 of their first 16 three-point attempts and going nearly 34 minutes without a successful three-pointer.

D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers’ inconsistent third offensive option, failed to score in 24 minutes of play, managing only two assists. He missed all seven of his shot attempts, including six from beyond the arc.

On the other hand, Aaron Gordon delivered the highest-scoring playoff performance of his 10-year NBA career, particularly shining with 10 points in the third quarter when Denver took control of the game. Nikola Jokic was also efficient, converting nine of his 13 shot attempts and narrowly missing out on his 17th career postseason triple-double.

The second-seeded Nuggets commenced their title defense with two victories at home in Denver. They pulled away late to secure Game 1 and orchestrated a dramatic comeback in Game 2, culminating in Jamal Murray’s buzzer-beating jumper for the win.

After squandering a 20-point lead in the second half of Game 2, the Lakers, seeded seventh, found themselves frustrated, overwhelmed, and at times perplexed, as described by Davis. He mentioned instances where the Lakers seemed uncertain in response to Denver’s offensive versatility.

These issues persisted into Game 3, placing the Lakers on the brink of the conclusion of LeBron James’ remarkable 21st NBA season. Having not played a home game in 16 days and securing just one win at home since March 24, the Lakers faced an uphill battle.

Gabe Vincent, Lakers guard and former Miami Heat player, recalled last season’s near-collapse by Miami against Boston after leading 3-0, highlighting the unpredictability of playoff scenarios.

However, the Nuggets’ strong performance, going 16-4 in last season’s playoffs and displaying dominance against the talented Lakers in the first three games of the series, suggests their potential for another successful postseason run.

The Lakers faced additional challenges with Russell’s lackluster performance compounded by starter Rui Hachimura’s quiet game, who managed only five points on four shots in 28 minutes.

Denver seized control in the second half of Game 3, turning a halftime deficit into a 10-point lead with a 24-10 run led by Gordon and Murray, who combined for 19 points in the third quarter. Despite efforts to rally in the fourth quarter, the Lakers couldn’t close the gap.

As the Lakers’ fans exited the arena in the final minutes, a small group in the Lakers’ section voiced dissatisfaction, chanting “Fire Darvin!”