James' Lakers knocked out with defeat by Nuggets
LeBron James was searching for the fifth NBA title of his career
LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out of the NBA play-offs as the Denver Nuggets completed a 4-1 series win in the Western Conference.
In the fifth game of the best-of-seven series, defending champions the Nuggets won a tense encounter 108-106.
Jamal Murray scored 32 points, including the winner with just 3.6 seconds left when the scores were tied.
James’ 30 points and 11 assists were in vain for the Lakers.
The NBA’s all-time leading points scorer was chasing his fifth title and his first with the Lakers since 2020.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder also progressed to the last eight with a 97-89 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jalen Williams scored 24 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 24 with 10 rebounds to complete a 4-0 series clean sweep.
The Thunder had a slender 44-43 advantage at half-time, before the Pelicans took a 80-75 lead but could not cling on as they struggled defensively.
In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics edged closer to the next round as they took a 3-1 advantage in their play-off series with the Miami Heat.
They won the fourth match 102-88, but were dealt an injury concern as centre Kristaps Porzingis limped off the court with a calf strain shortly before half-time, and did not return.
Derrick White’s career-best 38 points helped the Celtics to victory, with the fifth match of the best-of-seven series taking place on Wednesday.