Lakers end 498-day losing streak against Nuggets in Game 4 / News - Basketnews.com

Los Angeles Lakers secured their first victory over the Denver Nuggets in 498 days, marking their first win since December 16, 2022.

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

Los Angeles Lakers staved off a sweep and avoided postseason elimination with a 119-108 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their first-round series on Saturday night.

Player of the Game EFF 43 Anthony Davis Points 25 Accuracy 11-17 Rebounds 23 Assists 6

This victory marked the Lakers' first victory over the Nuggets in 498 days, with their last win against Denver dating back to December 16, 2022. The memory of being swept out of the Western Conference finals by Denver last season added extra weight to the win.

"It's a beautiful thing to finally get a win against this team," Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. "Now that we've finally quote-on-quote 'cracked the code,' we still have to understand that this is a championship ball club we're facing."

LeBron James led the charge with 30 points, supported by Anthony Davis, who contributed 25 points and 23 rebounds.

Despite Nikola Jokic's outstanding performance with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, securing his 18th career triple-double and second in this series, the Nuggets couldn't regain their typical late-game dominance over the Lakers.

"We just tried to get one game and go from there," Davis said before Game 4. "We know we've lost 11 straight. We can't focus on that."

The series now returns to Denver, where Game 5 will tip off on Monday at the Ball Arena.

"It's a one-game series for us," James noted. "So Monday's game is the most important of the season for us. We know what's at stake. If we lose, we go home."

Game 4 highlights:

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