lakers

Denver Nuggets Survive Lakers Comeback In WCF Game 1

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The Denver Nuggets have reached the Western Conference Finals four times in franchise history prior to 2023. And every time they’ve made it, it’s marked the end of their playoff run that year. The first time was in 1978 when they lost to the Seattle SuperSonics. However, on the other three occasions (1985, 2009, 2020), the Nuggets have lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.

That meant it was all the more important that Denver won Game 1 against the 2023 Lakers. The Lakers were coming off two giant slaying series, taking down the two-seed Grizzlies and reigning champion Warriors. LeBron, Anthony Davis, and their eclectic supporting cast were hungry and ready to storm back to the NBA Finals.

Jokić Triple-Double Helps Fend Off Lakers

Heading into halftime, the Nuggets were sitting pretty with an 18-point lead. They had been handling the Lakers well on both ends of the court and would cruise to a blowout win if the trend continued. But the Lakers came out of the break with a brand-new look and the now the Nuggets were scrambling for a response. The lead was down to 14 by the end of the third and a run late in the fourth had the Nuggets up by three. But Denver was able to score some late free throws and come away with a 132-126 victory.

Nikola Jokić was once again the savior of the Nuggets. The MVP runner-up had a 34-point triple-double, with 21 rebounds and 14 assists. It made Jokić the first player in playoff history to have 30-point triple-doubles with 70% shooting in back-to-back games. Jamal Murray also had a 30-point game for Denver, adding 31 to the scoreboard. That along with solid performances elsewhere, was enough to erase the 66 points put up by LeBron and AD, including 40 from Davis alone. What ultimately killed the Lakers was leaving the comeback too late. Furthermore, Dennis Schroder, DeAngelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Lonnie Walker combined for just 20 points on 88 total floor minutes. Denver, who went 34-7 at home during the regular season, will look to extend their lead in Game 2 on Thursday.

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Lakers Vs. Nuggets: How To Watch

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Tonight is Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets. Overall, this is a rematch of the Western Conference Finals from the 2020 bubble. Although the Lakers won that series, the Nuggets have been more consistent over the past few seasons. Moreover, the Nuggets were the best team in the regular season, which makes them favorites to win this series. Ultimately, Nikola Jokic was an MVP finalist, and he certainly poses a huge threat to the Lakers.

However, the Lakers have come back from a lot of adversity this season. At the All-Star break, they were 13th in the Western Conference. However, with new additions like D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and more, the team battled back. Subsequently, they knocked off the Memphis Grizzlies, as well as the Golden State Warriors. It has been an incredible run from the Lakers and it could very well define LeBron’s legacy. If he loses this series, it will be expected. But if he wins this series and then wins the title, then he will be seen as better than Jordan.

Lakers Vs. Nuggets Game 1

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against Jamal Murray #27 of and Jeff Green #32 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on December 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Game 1 will not determine the rest of the series. Although, it has the potential to set the tone for this matchup. If the Lakers can steal Game 1, they take home court away from the Nuggets. That said, L.A. comes into this game as 5.5-point underdogs. This is a fair assessment, and we doubt any reasonable Laker fan would actually complain about this.

But how can you watch tonight’s game? Well, that is simple. Game 1 will begin at 8:30 PM Eastern Time. This translates to 5:30 PM Pacific Time. Moreover, the game is going to be live on ESPN. However, if you prefer to stream the game, you can try fubo. Let us know who you have taking this game, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the NBA.

Tyler The Creator Rocks Up To Lakers Post-Game Presser

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On May 11, with the likes of Kim K in attendance, the Lakers took down the Warriors 122-101 to win their Western Conference Semifinals series and advance in the NBA playoffs. Furthermore, the Lakers became the first team since 2014 to eliminate the Warriors before the Finals. They will now face the Denver Nuggets for a place in the NBA Finals. It’s the fourth time the Lakers and Nuggets have faced off at this stage of the playoffs, with the Lakers holding a 3-0 record in the previous meetings.

LeBron was a powerhouse against the Warriors in Game 6. The veteran legend put up 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Meanwhile, AD ruled in the paint with 20 rebounds as well as 17 points of his own. “It was great to be able to play one of our most efficient games, one of our best games of the series, and it started because of the defensive matchup we had,” LeBron told reporters. “We defended at a high level, and when we do that, we can be extremely good. I thought we were locked in for as close to 48 minutes as possible tonight.”

Tyler The Creator Makes Surprise Appearance

When LeBron and AD to the media room after the game, there was a surprise guest nestled amongst the reporters. Three-time platinum rapper Tyler, The Creator quietly took a set to watch the press conference for himself. Tyler grew up in the southeast LA neighborhood of Hawthorne, about 13 miles from Crypto.com Arena. However, he has never been regarded as a Lakers diehard.

Tyler appeared to do nothing more than sit and watch, unless something happened that literally no-one is talking about. However, his appearance has generated some hilarious reactions. “When the bad kid has to sit next to the teacher for the rest of the trip,” one commentator said on Instagram. “Bro is in the most random places,” said another while someone quipped in a similar vein, “Bro has spawn points everywhere.” What do you think Tyler, The Creator was up to? Let us know your theories in the comments.

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Kim K, Kendall Jenner, Bad Bunny Watch Lakers Win

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On May 11, the Lakers were finally able to prove a psychic Corgi and Stephen A. Smith wrong as they beat the Warriors 122-101. LeBron had a dominant 30-point game, nearly hitting a triple-double with nine assists and nine rebounds. Fan-favorite Austin Reaves put 23 points. After the game, the Warriors conceded that they were not a “championship team” this season. The Lakers will play the Denver Nuggets in the next round.

Now the Kardashian-Jenner dynasty has a long history of dating NBA players. While most of the athletes linked to the family are former flames of Khloé, Kim and Kendall have also had their basketball romances. Kim briefly dated Kris Humphries, who retired in 2017. Meanwhile, Kendall has had romances with Suns star Devon Booker and current Celtic Blake Griffin.

Kim Brings A Homemade Sign, Kendall And Bad Bunny Have A Lakers Date

Kim was courtside was the Lakers’ Game 6 win. Earlier in the series, she had been spotted showing off her curves in a tight-fitting “I Love Nerds” top. That appearance fueled speculation that Kim was dating a Laker, a claim she denied. For Game 6, she was in attendance with her daughter, North. Together they held up a homemade sign that read “Tristan Thompson” in alternating purple and gold letters. Thompson, Kim’s former brother-in-law, played four minutes off the bench, pulling down two rebounds. It remains to be seen if Kim will continue attending Lakers home games as they take on the Nuggets for a place in the NBA Finals.

Elsewhere in the crowd, fans spotted Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny. The pair have been publicly dating since February 2023. At one point, the broadcast appeared to catch Benito asking Jenner if she wanted to go home after the game, with Jenner appearing to reply “we can do whatever”. The Lakers and Warriors were the only elite athletes in the building. Benito recently came out on top in a WWE street fight match against fellow Puerto Rican wrestler, Damian Priest. Who was your favorite celebrity appearance during the NBA playoffs? Let us know in the comments below.

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Stephen A. Believes Warriors Will Force A Game 7

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The Golden State Warriors currently trail the Lakers 3-2 in their Western Conference Semifinal matchup. However, the Warriors kept themselves alive with a dominant performance in Game 5. The teams meet for a pivotal Game 6 in Los Angeles on Friday night. Either the Warriors will force the series back to the Chase Center or the Lakers will move on to face the Nuggets.

Now Stephen A. Smith may be a New York fan, but he has a soft spot for the Warriors. Furthermore, he believes that the Warriors have got what it takes to force the Lakers into a Game 7. And it all comes down to a very simple belief about how the Warriors have been playing.

Smith Believes The Warriors Haven’t Hit Their Full Potential Yet

Speaking on First Take, Smith laid out his case for a Warriors win in Game 6. “I think Steph Curry hasn’t been sensational. He’s struggled a little bit but is balling out. Klay Thompson came alive a little bit last night. Jordan Poole didn’t stink up the joint. It’s really really nice seeing him remember he wears a uniform and gets a paycheck. But Draymond Green, let me tell you all. When you watch him, when you watch his energy…the dude is made for these moments.” In short, Smith believes that the Warriors haven’t played their best yet. If they do that, and will be forced to do so in this all-or-nothing Game 6, the series will go to seven games.

However, if you’re not convinced by Smith. How about a psychic corgi? The TikTok account @aircorg has gone viral during the Lakers-Warriors series for a video in which Steph Furry the Corgi perfectly predicts the outcome of the series through the first five games. The video has been the bane of Lakers fans, who have watched their team slowly squander a 3-1 lead. But regardless of whether you beleive the ESPN veteran or future-predicting dog, the Lakers and Warriors face off later today. Do you agree with Stephen A. Smiith? Or are the Lakers going to win in six? Let us know in the comments.

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Lakers Reportedly Working With “The Last Dance” Producer

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Netflix’s The Last Dance was one of the hottest things on TV in 2020. The ten-episode documentary went behind the scenes of the Chicago Bulls’ 1997-98 season. That title run would ultimately become the last of the Bulls’ 90s dynasty and the series perfectly balanced archival footage with contemporary interviews. Of course, part of the show’s appeal was that we the audience (and many of the players at the time) knew it was their “last dance”.

However, another documentary may be in the works from the same production team. According to Lakers announcer John Ireland, Andy Thompson, who produced The Last Dance, has been spending a lot of time with the team this season. It has been a historic season for the Lakers, with LeBron surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Furthermore, the Lakers have been making a dominant run as a seven seed in the playoffs.

Is A LeBron-Centric “The Last Dance” In The Works?

“I hope I’m not talking out of school here. Andy Thompson, who is the guy who shot The Last Dance, Mychal Thompson’s younger brother, who has worked for the NBA for 30 years, has spent a ton of time with us this year,” Ireland told the Awful Announcing podcast. “So if LeBron ever wanted to go down this road, I think Andy is stockpiling that just so he has it and has the opportunity to tell the story.” It’s an interesting concept, but it only really works if this is LeBron’s last dance. LeBron has not expressed any clear intention to retire and has been very vocal about playing a few more years so he can share the court with Bronny.

“If we go on a magical run to the title, Andy, who was the driving force behind The Last Dance, most of the stuff you saw in those 10 episodes was shot by Andy Thompson. And Andy’s a smart guy, he’s already working on, potentially, a story about the end of LeBron’s run like he had one for the end of Jordan’s run,” Ireland added. However, while the season has been historic for multiple reasons, it really needs a Championship-winning ending. The Lakers currently lead the Warriors 3-2 in the Western Conference Semifinals.

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A Corgi On TikTok Has Perfectly Predicted Lakers-Warriors

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There are few joys in life more satisfying than watching an animal predict sporting events. There are many famous examples of this phenomenon, such as Paul the Psychic Octopus. However, the trend has become more and more common in recent years. During the 2022 NFL playoffs, Cincinnati Zoo utilized their beloved, and internet-famous, hippo Fiona to predict matches.

A major rise in this sort of content has come via the advent of sites such as TikTok. With Tiktok built for mass consumption over brand-building, anyone can go viral for having their pet predict sports matches. With this introduction, meet @aircorg, aka Steph Furry. Steph is a Corgi with 1.3 million followers on TikTok. The account has been using Steph Furry to predict sporting events from around the world for several. But the dog’s uncanny prediction for the Lakers-Warriors series is starting to get some attention

Steph Furry Is 5-0 In Wild Lakers-Warriors Series

@aircorg

Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers, who’s winning? 🤷🏻‍♂️ #nba #2023nbaplayoffs #dubnation #warriors #LA #lakers

♬ Cupid – Twin Ver. (FIFTY FIFTY) – Sped Up Version – sped up 8282

The Lakers currently lead their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Warriors 3-2.

  • Lakers win Game 1
  • Warriors win Game 2
  • Lakers win Game 3
  • Lakers win Game 4
  • Warriors win Game 5

While not the most difficult series to predict statistically, the order in which it happened is certainly unexpected. Few people would have confidently said the Warriors would be 3-1 down after four games. But those few people include Steph Furry. In a video posted on May 1, the corgi “predicted” the Lakers-Warriors series. The chosen method of Furry’s predictions is having a ball thrown at him while he stands at the top of the stairs and knocking it down toward two labeled buckets.

So the only remaining question is – how does the series end, according to Steph Furry? Well Lakers fans, we know you already hate this dog so look away now. Furry has the Warriors going all the way with their comeback. If the good boy’s prediction is true, the Warriors are set to take both Games 6 and 7 to win the series 4-3. If they can achieve the feat, they will be just the 14th team to overcome a 3-1 deficit. They will also be the first since the Denver Nuggets did it twice in the 2020 postseason. However, what do you think? Is Steph Furry’s prediction correct? Or this corgi barking up the wrong tree?

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Anthony Davis Leaves Playoff Game In Weehlchair

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With seven minutes and 55 seconds left in Game 5 of the playoff series between the Lakers and Warriors, the Lakers were trailing by 13. It hadn’t been the night the Lakers, who were leading the series 3-1, had been hoping for. But there was still every chance for a series-ending comeback. Good load management meant that most of the Lakers’ starters were still on the court well into the fourth quarter.

D’Angelo Russell entered the game for the Lakers and less than 10 seconds later, was driving toward the Warriors’ basket. Anthony Davis and Kevin Looney both squared up for a potential rebound and as they did, Looney caught Davis in the temple with his elbow. Davis went down hard and nine seconds later, was subbed out for Rui Hachimura. After being evaluated on the Lakers’ bench, Davis was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. He did not return to the game. The Lakers would go on to lose 121-106.

Davis Reportedly Doing Okay But Game 6 Status Unclear

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 10: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game five of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 10, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

However, Lakers fans should not lose hope after a scary hit to the head for Davis. “Obviously everyone saw he took a shot to the head, but we just checked on him,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said after the game. “He seems to be doing really good already. That’s just where he’s at. That’s the status of it right now.” Furthermore, neither Ham nor the medical staff mentioned Davis having a concussion. Despite this, Davis remains a game-time decision for Friday’s Game 6. However, the NBA’s concussion protocol means that Davis cannot be fully clear for the game until Thursday evening at the earliest.

Davis’ fellow Lakers remain optimistic about the forward’s chances of playing. “I believe he’ll play,” Austin Reaves told reporters. “The medical team said he’s doing better. That’s what matters most,” LeBron James added. Additionally, Davis was seen walking to the team bus unassisted as the Lakers departed for LA later on Wednesday evening. Despite the Game 5 loss, the Lakers still lead the series 3-2. They will have the chance to close out the series at home on Friday night. The Lakers are 6-0 at Crypto.com Arena this year during postseason play.

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Lakers Can’t Close Out Warriors Series

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The Lakers entered Wednesday night’s matchup against the Warriors comfortable in the driving seat. Holding a 3-1 series lead, all the Lakers had to do was play the same basketball all series and they would be moving on to the Western Conference Finals.

What’s more, they were coming off some absolutely dominant performances. In Game 3, they beat the Warriors by 30. In Game 4, they forced an uncharacteristic blunder by Steph Curry to win 107-104. It finally felt like the Lakers had found a consistent solution for the Warriors’ three-heavy game plan. Now all they had to do was execute it one more time.

Warriors Dominate, Lakers Lose AD

Things started off great for the Lakers. While they weren’t winning the game, they were keeping it close over the first quarter and a half. However, slowly but surely, the Warriors began to pull away. A four-point lead at the end of the first became an 11-point lead at the half. Every time the Lakers scored, the Warriors responded in kind. There was never any momentum for the visitors, only finding points here and then instead of going on major scoring runs. Then they lost Anthony Davis about midway through the fourth quarter. Davis went down after an elbow to the head and didn’t return to the game. His status for Game 6 is currently up in the air.

The Warriors simply played better on the night. They outshot and rebounded the Lakers. They were better in the paint and when distributing the ball. There was no one defining factor of their win, the Warriors just played better basketball. Three Warriors starters hit at least 20 points, with all starters reaching double digits. Steph Curry led all scorers with 27 points. This was despite Curry shooting just 3-for-11 for three. Draymond Green put up the only double-double of the night with 20 points and 10 rebounds. LeBron and AD combined for 48 but the Lakers got no production from Jarred Vanderbilt (0 points in 11 minutes). The Lakers will need to play better, especially defensively to prevent a Game 7. The two teams will meet in LA on Friday night. Even with Davis’ status questionable, the Lakers are slightly favored by oddsmakers.

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Lakers Announced Championship Ring Policy

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The NBA doesn’t have an official policy on who gets a Championship ring when a team wins the NBA Finals. Each franchise is allowed to determine its own rules of eligibility. While players may not be officially credited as an NBA champion by the league, getting a ring is the decision of the team.

This is important as it defines whether players cut or traded during the season are eligible to receive a ring if that team wins it all. The Lakers are currently having a great playoffs. They have already taken down the two-seed Grizzlies and sit one game away from eliminating the Warriors. But the Lakers also swung some pretty big trades this season. That leaves the question as to whether those players get rings.

All Lakers, Past And Present, Will Get Rings

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 27: Russell Westbrook #0 and Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers interact against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

The Lakers traded eight players during the regular season. The most notable departures were Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverly. Westbrook was dealt to the Jazz in the three-team trade that brought Jarred Vanderbilt to the Lakers. The same day, Beverly was sent to Orlando in a four-team trade that saw the Lakers acquire Mo Bamba. In total, the Lakers had nine players who are no longer on the roster. While eight were traded, a ninth player spent time on the Lakers’ roster before being sent to the team’s G-League affiliate.

However, the Lakers have confirmed that all players who played for the Lakers during the season would be eligible for a ring if the Lakers win the Finals. That would mean the Lakers would be giving out 26 player rings in the event that they win the Finals. Championship rings are valued at around $20,000 to $30,000. That means that to fulfill this promise, the Lakers will have to spend a minimum of $520,000 to ensure that everyone gets a ring. The end estimate sees that number balloon to $780,000. Do you think every player should get a ring? Let us know in the comments below. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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