Are the Lakers eliminated if they lose Game 4 to the Nuggets today?

The Los Angeles Lakers are staring down the barrel of elimination from the NBA Playoffs, as LeBron James and co prepare to host the Denver Nuggets in a first-round clash that could see the Coloradans clinch their place in the Western Conference semi-finals.

Must-win Game 4 for Lakers

The Nuggets, who are the defending NBA champions, lead the Lakers 3-0 in the teams’ best-of-seven duel. If Denver win Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena today, the visitors will establish an unassailable advantage and complete a series sweep.

The Lakers trail the Nuggets despite putting together significant leads during both of the teams’ past two match-ups. After losing the series opener 114-103 in Denver last Saturday, Darvin Ham’s men were 20 points up in Game 2 on Monday, before going down 101-99 at Ball Arena. Three days later, Los Angeles led by 12 in Game 3 in California, only to end up losing 112-105.

Thursday’s defeat was the Lakers’ 11th straight reverse in meetings with the Nuggets.

Lakers must make history to down Denver

History strongly suggests that, even if the Nuggets do not extend their winning streak to 12 in Game 4, they will wrap up the first-round series at some point. That’s because no team in the NBA has ever overturned a 3-0 deficit to claim victory in the postseason.

James: “You play until the wheels fall off”

Speaking after defeat in Game 3, Lakers superstar James was well aware of the mammoth task facing Los Angeles, but urged his team to at least give themselves some hope of an unlikely comeback by keeping the series alive on Saturday.

“You come out with the mindset, ‘Let’s get one, force a Game 5, and then we go from there,’ James said, per AP. “As long as you still have life, then you obviously have belief. I just think you play until the wheels fall off. That’s what it’s always about for me.”

“Crazier things have happened,” added James’ Lakers team-mate Gabe Vincent, who was part of the Miami Heat side that staved off a sensational Boston Celtics fightback in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals. “Just last season, I was up 3-0 and ended up in a Game 7.”

The Lakers’ quest for a historic turnaround may well be hampered by the absence of Anthony Davis for Game 4. Davis, who has top-scored for Los Angeles in all three postseason clashes with the Nuggets so far, is questionable for the game due to a wrist injury.

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Lakers racking up unsuccessful seasons

If the Lakers’ elimination is confirmed, it will be the 10th occasion in the last 12 years that the 17-time champions’ season has ended in or before the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The only exceptions are the 2019/20 campaign, in which the franchise won its most recent title, and last season, when Los Angeles were beaten by the Nuggets in the conference finals.

Nuggets vs Lakers: start time, how to watch

The Los Angeles Lakers host the Denver Nuggets today, Saturday 27 April 2024, with tip-off at Crypto.com Arena scheduled for 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT. Viewers in the United States will be able to watch Game 4 on ABC.