In an intense and emotionally charged Game 5, the Los Angeles Lakers saw their postseason hopes dashed as the Denver Nuggets narrowly clinched a 108-106 victory. This pivotal game not only ended the Lakers’ campaign but also highlighted the sheer unpredictability and drama of playoff basketball.
From the onset, the Lakers were poised to extend the series, driven by a stellar performance from Anthony Davis. Davis, the cornerstone of the Lakers’ playoff efforts, was dominating with 17 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and two blocks, shooting an impressive 8 out of 11 from the field. His prowess had been a continuing narrative, matching the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain in franchise record books just the game before.
However, the tide turned drastically early in the third quarter when Davis, in a tussle for the ball with Denver’s Michael Porter Jr., sustained a painful shoulder injury. The collision saw Davis on the floor in agonizing pain, an image that sent waves of concern throughout the Staples Center. Despite his attempt to soldier on, visibly compromised and managing to use only one arm effectively, Davis eventually had to withdraw from the game. Although he made a brief comeback in the fourth quarter, his limited capacity meant he could not close the very narrow gap.
The Lakers gave a great team effort to try to extend the series, but they just couldn’t manage the load after AD got injured early in the third quarter.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 30, 2024
The Lakers, leading 56-50 at the time of Davis’s injury, struggled to maintain their momentum in his absence. This moment marked a turning point, as the Nuggets seized the opportunity to rally back into the lead. Denver’s resilience was epitomized by Jamal Murray, who despite entering the game with a questionable status due to injury concerns, delivered the game-winning shot, effectively sending the Nuggets to the second round of the playoffs.
Magic Johnson, the Lakers legend who won five titles with the franchise, was quick to express his thoughts on social media platform X. Prior to the conclusion of the game, Johnson shared his optimism about the Lakers’ performance, stating, “Laker Nation – I’m feeling good about the Lakers today!” However, his tone shifted as the game unfolded, particularly after Davis’s injury. Post-game, Johnson commended the team’s effort but acknowledged the difficulty in managing the game without their star player fully operational.
His comments resonated with the Laker Nation and wider basketball community, capturing both the hope and eventual heartbreak of the game. Johnson also didn’t shy away from praising the Nuggets, particularly highlighting Murray’s clutch performance, which he described as a key factor the Lakers couldn’t counter.
This first-round exit marks the second in four years for the Lakers, a disappointment for a team with such a storied legacy. However, the praise for Anthony Davis’s explosive performance throughout the postseason was unanimous across the organization, with recognition of his valiant effort under physical duress.
As the Nuggets advance to the next round, the spotlight will continue to shine on their potential in the playoffs, perhaps now with a bit of added attention from Magic Johnson, who will be watching keenly, hopefully without imparting any premature celebrations.
