NUGGETS

Nuggets overcome adversity, take a 3-0 lead over the Lakers

May 20, 2023, 9:08 PM

With less than a minute to play in the game, the Lakers had shot 29 free throws, while the Nuggets had shot just 17. Nikola Jokic, a two-time MVP, went to the bench with seven minutes to go in the third quarter on a fantom foul call. And Los Angeles didn’t commit a single foul until nine minutes into the third period.

It’s not hard to see the pattern. It’s not difficult to understand that the deck was stacked against the Nuggets.

It’s understandable. The league wants Los Angeles involved in as many games as possible. LeBron James and the Lakers are good for television ratings.

But Denver was too much for all of those factors. The overcame everything that was stacked against them.

In the end, the Nuggets walked away with a 119-108 victory. They now hold a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

There were plenty of heroes. Just pick a time and another one arose.

Jamal Murray had 30 points in the first half. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 14 points and 10 boards. Bruce Brown had 15 points off the bench.

The Nuggets are one win away from their first trip to the NBA Finals. They have four chances to notch that win.

Uncharted waters are ahead. That’s nothing new for this team.

***

Nuggets

Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns...

Jake Shapiro

Nuggets lose to the Suns again, but it probably doesn’t mean much

The Denver Nuggets have 15 wins and three losses since the All-Star Break and two of those have come against the Phoenix Suns

9 hours ago

PORTER BROTHERS...

Jake Shapiro

Michael Porter Jr. speaks on Jontay Porter’s gambling investigation

Nuggets star forward Michael Porter Jr.'s brother Jontay Porter is at the center of an NBA investigation into prop bets based on his stats

9 hours ago

...

DenverSports.com Staff

This is the golden age of Nuggets basketball

Zach Bye reacts to the unstoppable force that is the Denver Nuggets and explains how Nuggets fans and NBA fans alike should never take a historic talent like Nikola Jokic for granted.

2 days ago

Wyndham Clark...

Will Petersen

U.S. Open champ Wyndham Clark hangs out with Avs and Nuggets

Both teams were glad to share pictures of Wyndham Clark, as he attended the Nuggets game against the Knicks on and then Avs morning skate

6 days ago

...

Rachel Vigil

Is MPJ finally making the star leap?

Jake Shapiro reacts to the recent surge of production from Michael Porter Jr. and explains how he is one of the most crucial pieces for the Nuggets to have in the upcoming playoffs.

7 days ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets...

Jake Shapiro

Two NBA writers list Nuggets among dream NBA playoff matchups

The Denver Nuggets had a dream NBA title run last season—but what is the dream run of matchups for the coming NBA Playoffs

7 days ago

Nuggets overcome adversity, take a 3-0 lead over the Lakers