The Denver Nuggets completed a series whitewash over the Los Angeles Lakers to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in their history on Monday night.
Leading 3-0 overall heading into Game Four of the Western Conference Finals at the Crypto.com Arena, Michael Malone's team ran out 113-111 winners to confirm a first-ever spot in the NBA Finals.
The individual battle for supremacy between Nikola Jokic and LeBron James lived up to the billing, with the former posting yet another triple-double with 30 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists.
The 28-year-old's triple-double was his all-time high eighth of the 2023 postseason - breaking Wilt Chamberlain's long-standing record of seven from the 1967 playoffs - and James's own historic feats were ultimately in vain.
The 38-year-old came up with an astounding 40 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists - scoring a personal high 31 points in the first half and becoming the oldest player in NBA history to hit the 40-mark in a playoff game.
However, James's efforts were not enough as the Lakers were swept by the Nuggets, who were crowned Conference champions for the first time in their 47-year history.
Either the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics will face the Nuggets in the NBA Finals, with the former holding a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals and aiming to complete their own series sweep on Tuesday evening.
Ben Knapton
