In a dramatic Game 4 on Saturday, April 27, the Los Angeles Lakers kept their playoff hopes alive with a decisive 119-108 victory over the defending champion Denver Nuggets. Despite the Lakers’ strong performance to break Denver’s 11-game winning streak against them, former NBA star Paul Pierce was quick to temper celebrations.
Shortly after the game, Pierce took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his thoughts. “Pride game [for] the Lakes [but] this [is] over in 5,” he predicted, indicating his belief that the Lakers would not be able to sustain their momentum in the series. Pierce, a notable rival of LeBron James during their clashes when he was with the Boston Celtics and James played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, added, “Good news is Lakes win. Bad news [is] they gotta fly to Denver to end [the] series.”
The Lakers have struggled in Denver, having not won there since December 16, 2022. The Nuggets boast a strong home record at the Ball Arena this season, tied for the second-best in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, the Lakers showed resilience in Game 4. LeBron James led the charge with 30 points, 14 of which came in the crucial fourth quarter, alongside five rebounds and four assists. James acknowledged the importance of the win, saying, “We’ve given ourselves another lifeline, and it’s a one-game series for us now. Monday’s game is the most important game of the season for us, and we understand that.”
Anthony Davis also played a pivotal role in the victory, delivering a standout performance with 25 points and 23 rebounds. He was particularly effective against Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who himself recorded a triple-double. Davis emphasized the team’s determination to avoid a sweep: “It’s tough to get swept. Nobody wants that feeling, especially going into the summer.”
As the series returns to Denver for Game 5, the Lakers face a daunting task. They will need to replicate their Game 4 performance and overcome historical challenges to keep their playoff journey alive. The basketball community and fans will be watching closely to see if Pierce’s prediction comes to pass or if the Lakers can defy the odds and extend the series further.
