The Lakers had numerous opportunities to take control of their first-round series against the Nuggets, and LeBron openly discussed the team’s mistakes. Reflecting on the series during the latest episode of Mind the Game, LeBron expressed uncertainty about his emotional state following the Lakers’ elimination by the Nuggets for the second consecutive postseason.
LeBron lamented the missed chances, particularly emphasizing the game-winning shots by Jamal Murray that sealed two of the Lakers’ losses. He highlighted pivotal moments like squandering a 20-point lead in Game 2 and acknowledged the team’s failure to capitalize on crucial possessions throughout the series. Despite leading in minutes for a significant portion of the series, LeBron acknowledged that playoff games often hinge on a handful of decisive plays, which the Lakers failed to execute.
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While LeBron believed the Lakers were competitive in every game, he also recognized that their inability to capitalize on key opportunities ultimately led to their series loss. Despite the disappointment, he acknowledged the Nuggets as the superior team and credited them for their victory. The Lakers’ recurring issue of closing out games in the second half allowed the Nuggets to secure a 4-1 series win and advance comfortably to the second round.
