It was everything but simple for the Los Angeles Lakers in the first few minutes following their loss to the Denver Nuggets in Monday night’s NBA Playoffs Game 2.
LeBron James and company lost the game in the final seconds after taking a 20-point lead early on because to a Jamal Murray basket that went straight over Anthony Davis’ marking. They soon had to cope with the media.
“It hurts too much.” As we return to Los Angeles, keep that sensation in mind. Coach Darvin Ham stated in a sideline interview, “We need to make them feel that in Game 3.”
It was LeBron’s turn to respond to inquiries over the defeat a little while later. The veteran even attempted to assign blame to the referees, claiming that Kevin Porter Jr. struck D’Angelo Russell in the face; however, the foul was overturned following Michael Malone’s challenge. James eventually conceded that the Nuggets were better.
In this league, especially when facing the reigning champs, a 20-point lead is not safe. We need to perform better. At the news conference, he said, “We had our chances.
"20-point leads in this league is not safe, especially against the defending champion. We gotta do better with that. We had our chances."
LeBron following the Lakers' G2 loss in Denver pic.twitter.com/3afAOBmyS5
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 23, 2024
When it came time for Davis to speak with media, the strained environment inside the Lakers roster became even more apparent. The center wore sunglasses into the news conference and never once altered his somber facial expression.
Anthony’s only response was succinct and straightforward: the player, who was covering Murray on the game’s final play, was asked what had transpired and what the defense’s plan of attack was.
Anthony Davis: "Jamal Murray made a shot."
Drops the mic pic.twitter.com/27biyiDaS2
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 23, 2024
He dropped the microphone on the table and walked away, saying that Jamal Murray had hit the pitch.
NBA Playoffs 2024: Lakers vs. Nuggets
The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets will play their third game at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 25, at 11 p.m. (Brasília).
As of right moment, the Colorado team is 2-0 up in the series. The first person to four wins moves on to the Western Conference playoffs.
On his podcast, Mind the Game, LeBron James unintentionally issued a “prediction” for Game 3 even before the heartbreaking defeat in Game 2.
He stated that even if you win a playoff game, you’ve already lost that second due to the way you ended it.
Read More: The real Joao Cancelo has finally revealed himself at Barcelona