In a tense NBA playoff game, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James, secured a crucial victory against the Denver Nuggets, ending the game with a score of 99-84. Throughout the series, the Lakers have consistently led in total game minutes but faced challenges in closing out games. A significant moment in the latest game involved a controversial decision by Lakers coach Darvin Ham not to challenge an out-of-bounds call that went against LeBron James. This decision sparked a visible outburst from James, who was furious that the call was not reviewed. The incident occurred during a critical phase of the game where maintaining composure was crucial, and the Lakers were trying to snap an 11-game losing streak against the Nuggets. Key plays included LeBron scoring at the rim and Russell scoring after a KCP miss to put the Lakers up 99-84 with 7:25 left to play.
DLO ALLEY-OOP TO LEBRON!!!! ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ https://t.co/PrVzHXr8rG
LeBron James and the Lakers have led the Denver Nuggets for 129 minutes in this series are still trail 3-0 ๐คฏ https://t.co/xYxdHt2MfR
LeBron couldnโt believe it (via @Rachel__Nichols) https://t.co/wwO9cFasO7 https://t.co/d9QBqLnJhr
This is hilarious ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ https://t.co/iBaT7QJvgi
This was after the Lakers bench declined to challenge an out-of-bounds call that replay did in fact show was called incorrectly. https://t.co/8dWDEFindh
Denver cut LAL's lead to 11 with a pair of hoops, but out of a Lakers time out, LeBron scored at the rim off another nice baseline cut, and Russell scored after a KCP miss to put LAL up 99-84 with 7:25 to play.
Looks like LeBron was right to be upset ๐ณ The ball was clearly off KCP. https://t.co/0lt5eDl3gr
LeBron was furious! https://t.co/gx9KvXgtyg https://t.co/EVYtYxnYpS
Evergreen tweet. https://t.co/LsyRVlaLyc
LeBron yelling at the Lakers bench for not calling a challenge. He's done with Darvin Ham and co. https://t.co/iv6LFzvXG9
LeBron about to start firing and trading people mid-game
don't understand why lebron is so mad. it's just basketball. https://t.co/ztWRFOl7KE
LeBron just before that last timeout... https://t.co/08uXdXsJgL
Rooting so hard for a Nuggets comeback after LeBron James' on-court temper tantrum gave Denver an easy layup. Embarrassing.
Oh Darvin. Why didnโt you review when LeBron said to? Replays show very clearly off nuggets. 4 point swing
LeBron James was IRATE that Darvin Ham didnโt challenge this out of bounds call ๐ณ https://t.co/Fwfs8Cxb3U
Darvin Ham is going to pay big time for not challenging a call that went against LeBron James, who went berserk when his demand was ignored. Ham may not be allowed in any more huddles the rest of the game.
Darvin Ham is definitely getting fired real soon https://t.co/r49PMWAfGo https://t.co/9m7C5vlPvG
Denver's back within 11 after LAL had pushed the lead back to 15. Timeout Lakers. Preceding this push by Jamal Murray and the Nuggets, LeBron James was pleading to the Lakers' bench to challenge an out of bounds call on the sidelines that he swore went off DEN, but no challenge
LeBron erupts on Lakers bench for not challenging the out-of-bounds call, Nuggets score wide open layup. https://t.co/AX97pm1t11
LeBron might fire Darvin Ham before this game is over. That might be the first time Ham ever stood up to LeBron, ignoring LeBron's demand that he challenge out of bounds off LeBron. Cost the Lakers an easy basket as LeBron forgot about playing defense.
LeBron LOST IT on Darvin Ham when he didnโt challenge this call ๐ https://t.co/LLLgu5toN8
LeBron is furious the Lakers didnโt challenge. ๐ณ https://t.co/NRrMHIo3QB
I get that LeBron is pissed that they didn't challenge that, but the whole team lost it's composure after he lost his cool
I'm on the other side of the arena, but LeBron appears to be furious that the Lakers coaching staff didn't challenge that call out of bounds. Murray ended up scoring with Denver retaining possession, and LeBron was barely watching as it happened, glaring at the bench. AK
LeBron mad
Thought LeBron was going to strangle Ham there.
That LeBron tantrum...
Man that Lebron SCREAMING at the bench to challenge play felt like a moment lol.
Best thing that can happen is LeBron says heโs not coming back if Darvin Ham is still the coach.
LeBron is fed UP, bubba
LeBron is finished with his coaching staff lol
LeBron was FURIOUS yelling at Darvin Ham to challenge the call and got ignored. Nuggets scored immediately after.
Update: LeBron scored again, this time at the rim, and Denver brings Jokic in early, at around the 9:30 mark. LAL counters by putting Davis back in, leading 95-80. https://t.co/1nSr2747eU
First possession: LeBron drives straight into Aaron Gordon, and draws a shooting foul. LAL up 93-80 after 2 makes. https://t.co/Nr39Jcsfgr
LAL lost the 3rd Q again, but only by 2, as they maintain a 91-80 lead going into the 4th Q. That's one point more than their 4th Q lead heading into the Game 2 4th Q lead of 10. Absolutely critical stretch to start the 4th with Jokic sitting and LeBron in.
Denver came as close as down seven in the 3rd Q, but LAL was able to push it back to a 91-80 lead heading into the 4th Q. If the Lakers can hold the lead for 12 more minutes, theyโll snap an 11-game losing streak against the Nuggets while extending their season.
That's it. Lakers win. Even LeBron can't mess this up.