If LeBron James‘ performances during the first round against the Denver Nuggets signify anything, it is that James will always bring the fight. Despite the numerous leads the Lakers tend to give up vs the defending champions, James has always embraced the challenge head-on; even when the NBA world opposes his winning chances.

With that, while facing the physicality and pressure of the elimination, LeBron James appeared to tweak his ankle on a layup and was tending to his leg afterward. However, despite having the option to sit and rest it out, James simply resorted to “re-lacing his sneakers” and walking the pain off.

The scare occurred in the 3rd quarter when James found the lane against Jokic for a layup. As James made the bucket with an added contest from Michael Porter Jr. he twisted his left ankle while landing. James immediately screamed in pain, clutching his ankle on the floor. However, Darvin Ham wanted him to take a breather, he immediately ignored the help and got back to the game.

However, James is not the only fright the Lakers explore tonight. Anthony Davis, working through multiple injuries and added to the roster as a game-time decision, constantly faced hurdles in maneuvering through the physical Nuggets players. Davis was struggling with his left shoulder throughout the game. At one point, he was unable to move it and fell outside the baseline, all while grabbing his shoulder and tossing in pain.

LeBron James’ prestigious elimination record was not enough for LA

LeBron James entered the Game 5 with a career record of 15-12 in elimination games. Moreover, he harbored an average of 33.5 points per game alongside 10.5 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.6 steals (49.6% shooting). It is the highest amongst all NBA players facing elimination (at least 10 games).

With that, as James scored 30 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists on 52% shooting, he maintained his level of efficiency. However, it was clearly not enough as no other Lakers player could touch the 20-point mark in the elimination game. Meanwhile, the Nuggets saw 3 players touching 25, as Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, and Michael Porter Jr. combined for 83 points. As a result, the Lakers fall 108-106 to the Nuggets, putting an end to their 2023-24 campaign.

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With that, James is now 15-13 in elimination games, still ahead of Michael Jordan’s 6-7 record. LeBron now faces a first-round elimination for the second time in his career. Interestingly, both of them come within his Lakers’ days. The team will now head into an early off-season, with plenty of time to work around the plethora of controversies about to come and to craft their next moves for the 2024-25 NBA season.