Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, opening the possibility of the father-son duo playing together in the NBA. While it’s not guaranteed, the move has sparked excitement and speculation about a historic moment in basketball history.
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of elimination in their Western Conference first-round NBA Playoffs series against the Denver Nuggets. Having lost the first three games of the best-of-seven series, the Lakers must win Game 4 on Saturday, April 27, 2024, to avoid being swept. The game will be played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles at 5:30 p.m. PT (8:30 p.m. ET) and will be televised on ABC. If you don’t have cable, you can watch the game live on streaming services such as Sling TV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV is offering a $25 discount on its first month of service, while FuboTV is offering a seven-day free trial. Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial.
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of being swept in the opening round of the playoffs, having lost three straight games to the Denver Nuggets. LeBron James, despite being past his prime, believes in playing until the end, while Anthony Davis remains a bright spot. However, other Lakers stars, including D’Angelo Russell, have struggled, leading to speculation of big changes in the offseason.
On the heels of the Lakers’ Game 3 loss to the Denver Nuggets, tensions flared off-court as Charles Barkley and the Inside the NBA crew found themselves waiting for LeBron James, who was hours late to the post-game press conference. Despite the delay, the crew provided an insightful breakdown of the game, with Barkley leading the charge with his criticism of the Lakers and James’ tardiness. James eventually arrived and spoke to the media, expressing his mindset for Game 4 and the need for a change in coaching. However, critics believe that the game is likely over due to the team’s poor performance and lack of adjustments.
In the Eastern Conference first-round playoffs, Joel Embiid led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-114 victory over the New York Knicks, cutting their deficit in the series to 2-1. In Orlando, Paolo Banchero powered the Magic to a 121-83 triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers, narrowing the series to 2-1. Out West, Nikola Jokic guided the Denver Nuggets to a 112-105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, putting them on the brink of advancing to the Western Conference semifinals with a 3-0 lead.
TNT commentator Reggie Miller has been accused of biased commentary during Game 2 of the Lakers-Nuggets series, sparking controversy among fans and fellow analysts. Miller allegedly showed favoritism towards the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić, leading to pointed criticism from Kendrick Perkins and others on social media. Perkins questioned Miller’s support for the Nuggets’ comeback attempt, while fans also called out Miller for disparaging the Lakers’ decision to start D’Angelo Russell. Despite his alleged biased commentary, Miller was effusive in his praise for LeBron James throughout the game.
Amidst the struggles of the Lakers’ supporting cast against the Denver Nuggets, fans are calling for 21-year-old Max Christie to be given a chance in the rotation. Despite limited playing time during the regular season, Christie has shown potential with his defense, scoring ability, and all-around play. With their lack of experience and poor performance, Spencer Dinwiddie and Gabe Vincent have drawn the ire of fans, while injuries to Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood further deplete LA’s depth. Christie’s ability to defend multiple positions and make plays when needed could prove valuable against the Nuggets’ dangerous guards and wings. As the Lakers search for solutions to their struggles, Christie deserves an opportunity to show what he can do in a playoff environment.
The Los Angeles Lakers will face the reigning champion Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Thursday, seeking to level the series after losing the first two games in Denver. The Nuggets showcased their championship experience in Game 2, overcoming a 20-point deficit to secure a 101-99 victory, with Jamal Murray’s buzzer-beating jumper sealing the win. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a triple-double, while Murray and Michael Porter Jr. contributed significant scoring. Despite LeBron James’ 26 points and 12 assists, the Lakers struggled in the fourth quarter, allowing the Nuggets to pull away for the win. Los Angeles will aim to protect their home court advantage in Game 3 and regain momentum in the series.
The Lakers are facing an 0-2 deficit in their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets after a disappointing loss in Game 2. Following a film session that revealed missed scoring opportunities, the team is determined to improve their execution and regain momentum. LeBron James, who led the league in shooting accuracy near the rim during the regular season, shot poorly in Game 2, contributing to the Lakers’ struggles to capitalize on easy shots. The Lakers will need to find a way to sustain their leads and close out games against a Nuggets team that has consistently outperformed them in the final minutes.
Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham has dismissed any concerns arising from Anthony Davis’ recent remarks that appeared to criticize the team’s performance. Davis, following the Lakers’ Game 2 loss in their playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, expressed his frustration over periods during which the team seemed disoriented. However, Ham insists that he does not perceive Davis’ comments as an indictment of his coaching style or the team’s organization. He attributes Davis’ statement to the emotional toll of the game and the disappointment of the team’s performance.
