LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers managed to overcome the Denver Nuggets’ dominance in this rivalry and prolonged their presence in the playoffs for at least one more game.

Unsurprisingly, LeBron James took the lead.

James scored 30 points, while Anthony Davis contributed 25 points and 23 rebounds. On Saturday night, the Lakers secured a 119-108 victory over Denver in Game 4 of their first-round series, preventing their elimination from the postseason.

D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves scored 21 points for the Lakers, the seventh-seeded team that ended its 11-game losing run against the reigning NBA champions by securing its first victory against the Nuggets since December 2022.

The Lakers ultimately emerged victorious as the series, characterized by distinct patterns and rhythms, underwent a significant shift. For the fourth game in a row, Los Angeles established a double-digit advantage, but Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets led a second-half comeback.

LeBron Scores 30, And The Lakers Avoid 1st-Round Elimination With A 119-108 Win Over Champion Denver

However, in this series, the Lakers showed tenacity and refused to buckle under the pressure from the defending champions. James, who is 39 years old, scored 14 points in the fourth quarter by making 6 out of 8 shots. Once again, he single-handedly led the Lakers to victory in the late stages of his 21st NBA season.

The series’ fifth game will take place on Monday evening in Denver.

“We have granted ourselves an additional opportunity to succeed, and now we are facing a decisive game,” James stated. “The game on Monday holds utmost significance for us this season, and we fully comprehend that.”

Last season, Denver completely defeated Los Angeles in the Western Conference finals. However, despite being down 0-3, the current Lakers showed a remarkable performance that was more fitting for a club with a strong record of 12 victories in 15 games leading up to the tournament.

“We have the chance to play an additional game, and if we are victorious, we will have the opportunity to play another one and continue progressing,” Reaves stated. “Although the odds are not in our favor, we are always willing to face challenges and seize any opportunity to achieve something remarkable while maintaining our stability.”

Jokic achieved a remarkable performance with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, marking his 18th career triple-double and second in this series. However, despite his efforts, the two-time MVP and his teammates could not regain their typical late-game superiority against the Lakers.

LeBron Scores 30, And The Lakers Avoid 1st-Round Elimination With A 119-108 Win Over Champion Denver

The Lakers’ commanding 19-point advantage, which they held for over six minutes, gradually decreased to 113-106 after Jokic’s successful three-point play with 1:25 left on the clock. However, Reaves responded by making a quick jump shot and securing four free throws in the last minute.

Denver finally failed to overcome another sluggish offensive beginning in a series replete with such starts.

“Naturally, we desire to commence with greater speed. However, I have acquired knowledge from horse racing that emphasizes the significance of one’s conclusion rather than one’s initial performance,” Jokic remarked. “Our performance today was not satisfactory, so we aim to improve in the future.” Our intention was to take the lead and dominate the game, but it appears that we were unable to achieve that.

Michael Porter Jr. contributed 27 points and 11 rebounds to Denver’s performance, while Jamal Murray scored 22 points despite missing all four 3-point attempts. Aaron Gordon’s scoring output for the Nuggets was limited to just seven points, a significant drop from his 29-point performance in Game 3, his highest-scoring playoff game. However, Coach Michael Malone attributed the Nuggets’ struggles to factors other than offense.

“The defense in the paint was laughable,” Malone commented, expressing his dissatisfaction with his team’s performance as they conceded an astonishing 72 points.

“During every huddle, I repeatedly made the same point tonight,” Malone added. “Each huddle was focused on the task of painting.” Our opponents scored 70 points in the third game, but we won. They scored a total of 72 points tonight. That is an astounding figure. We lacked the necessary physical strength and sense of urgency. This game was not the final game in the series.

Last season, the Nuggets, ranked second, also lost a game that might have closed out the series against Minnesota in the first round. However, Denver managed to win the series in five games and only suffered three more losses on their path to winning their first championship.

Although Jokic had great skill and James attracted attention towards the end, Davis consistently performed exceptionally well for the fourth consecutive game. He achieved a career playoff high of 23 rebounds and led the Lakers’ team with six assists.

“Being swept is a challenging experience,” Davis remarked. “No one desires that sensation, particularly when heading into the summer season.” It would help if you endured that sensation throughout the entire summer. We did not engage in a discussion over the matter. We are aware of the potential consequences or risks involved. No one wants to experience that sensation in their oral cavity during summer. How we performed tonight is how we must perform throughout the remainder of the series.

LeBron Scores 30, And The Lakers Avoid 1st-Round Elimination With A 119-108 Win Over Champion Denver

In Game 4, despite their difficult situation, the Lakers demonstrated great determination by consistently attacking the basket and scoring 44 points in the paint throughout the first half. As a result, they managed to take the lead at halftime for the fourth time in the series.

The Lakers increased their lead to 15 points in the third quarter until the closing minutes. At that moment, Jokic and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ignited a rally for the Nuggets.

“They were exerting a significant amount of effort to maintain a fast tempo,” Jokic stated. “They had uncontested shots near the basket.” They were dominating us in the interior. We were unable to successfully take a shot. At times, they were also unable to make a shot, but it seemed that this greatly impacted our defense. “That team is excellent.”

Reggie Jackson, who sprained his ankle in the second half of Game 3, played for nine minutes for Denver.

Caleb Williams, a former USC quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy and was selected as the Chicago Bears’ first overall pick in the recent NFL draft, observed the game from a seat near the basketball court.

SOURCE – (AP)

The location is Dover, Delaware. Erik Jones experienced excruciating pain the moment his Toyota collided with the exterior wall during a recent accident at Talladega Superspeedway. The 27-year-old Jones, known for his exceptional durability as a NASCAR driver, communicated to his team via radio that he had sustained an injury.

“I am uncertain about my well-being,” Jones sighed. “Assistance is required.”

Assistance has arrived.

Jones experienced a surge of excitement, and the driver from Legacy Motor Club left the car unassisted. Paramedics transported him to the track’s infield care center, where he underwent examination and was cleared within 10 minutes. He appeared completely devoid of pain as he calmly and explicitly recounted the crash that destroyed the No. 43 Toyota.

NASCAR Driver Erik Jones Defends Medical Treatment Following Wreck At Talladega

The realization of a terrible reality was swift. Upon his return to his motorhome, Jones felt an intense and agonizing sensation of pain radiating through his back. After a second visit to the care center and a trip to the hospital, Jones received the unfortunate news that he had sustained a compression fracture in a lower vertebra. As a result, he will be unable to participate in Sunday’s race at Dover Motor Speedway.

“I have never fractured a bone in my entire life,” Jones stated Saturday at Dover. “I was unaware of how that sensation would be.”

Jones’s soreness is diminishing. He experiences restricted mobility and discomfort when he sneezes despite being a three-time Cup race champion. However, in addition to the medical update, Jones and Legacy co-owner Jimmie Johnson emphasized that the medical personnel at Talladega performed their duties effectively when they checked Jones, despite only first detecting the severity of the injuries later that night.

“I believe the care center responded flawlessly,” Johnson stated. “There were limited alternatives available to him at that particular moment.” Everyone performed exceptionally well.

The visit to the medical facility and subsequent interviews are integral components of a NASCAR weekend, just like the waving of the checkered flag.

According to the NASCAR rulebook, the driver must promptly go to the Infield Care Center if a vehicle is damaged in an accident or any contact and needs to be taken behind the pit wall or to the garage area. This can be done by ambulance or vehicle as instructed by the safety personnel or a NASCAR Official.

The majority of journeys are often mundane. Drivers are consistently present and prepared to assume vehicle control in the next week.

The diagnosis for Jones was challenging.

Following his two visits to the care center, Jones required an examination at UAB University Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, some hours later for more evaluation and testing. Subsequently, he returned to his residence in North Carolina on Sunday evening and consulted with experts in the Charlotte region. They concluded that Jones had sustained a compression fracture in a lower vertebra.

The advancement prompted inquiries on the procedure. Why was the back issue not detected initially at the care center?

NASCAR Driver Erik Jones Defends Medical Treatment Following Wreck At Talladega

Jones assumed responsibility.

“They conducted a thorough examination of my body, as they usually do,” Jones stated. “I expressed that everything seemed satisfactory.” I repeatedly informed them that it felt like a muscular strain.

On his initial visit to the care center, Jones did not undergo X-ray imaging. The nurses at Talladega Care Center advised Jones to return if his condition deteriorated after release. Upon experiencing an increase in his suffering, Jones came back for a further appointment, during which X-rays were conducted.

The majority of the emergency doctors, nurses, and specialists who staff the care centers at NASCAR races work for a nearby hospital.

“NASCAR has maintained one of the most stringent criteria for determining who is eligible to provide initial medical care to anyone associated with NASCAR,” stated Ryan Stanton, the medical director of the AMR NASCAR safety team. Some of those care centers will be equipped with X-ray capability. Almost all medical facilities possess ultrasound equipment, if not all of them.

Although indicators of a concussion or other brain injuries are occasionally the primary concern, Stanton clarified that the initial examination is essentially a routine physical. Drivers remove their firesuits down to their waist, undergo vital sign measurements, and receive a comprehensive inspection from head to toe. Drivers exhibiting any signs of trauma receive special attention and care.

A driver’s perspective driver, if there are no issues, they prefer the problem to be resolved as quickly as possible,” Stanton stated. “Despite their request for the services, a significant number of them exhibit reluctance to be present.” I understand. They are those who compete in sports at a high level as a vocation. The individuals strongly preferred to avoid being in the presence of medical professionals at a healthcare facility on the day of the event.

If necessary, drivers will undergo neurological testing.

“We can usually complete this entire exam, which is highly efficient, in approximately 5 minutes, possibly even less,” Stanton stated.

What if there is a driver who is concealing any symptoms that could hinder their ability to participate in the race?

“Many of these tests are impervious to deception,” Stanton stated.

Jones absorbed the whole force of the impact, a collision that would have been significantly more severe if not for the robust vehicles and cushioned barricades. NASCAR transported the Toyota vehicle to its research and development department for further examination.

NASCAR Driver Erik Jones Defends Medical Treatment Following Wreck At Talladega

“I believe that NASCAR has received some negative criticism this week, particularly regarding the Next Gen car,” Jones stated. However, I believe the car fulfilled its purpose.

Corey Heim will replace Jones in the No. 43 Toyota, and there is no specified timeframe for Jones’ comeback. Legacy also has a permanent position for John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR champion, rarely participates in races like the one at Dover on Sunday. He now holds the record for the most wins with 11.

If necessary, Heim will substitute for Jones again next weekend in Kansas. Johnson did not rule out the possibility of substituting for Jones.

“I am experiencing an improvement in my well-being with each passing day,” Jones stated. I have a meeting scheduled in the upcoming week, and I will base my decision on the outcome of that meeting.”

SOURCE – (AP)

Indianapolis —Caitlin Clark made an impressive entrance into the NBA playoff event on Friday night, earning a standing ovation from the spectators in her new home—twice.

She intends to replicate the experience in the same location in September.

Before Game 3 against the Milwaukee Bucks, the WNBA’s top draft pick and the all-time leading scorer in Division I basketball energized the enthusiastic Indiana Pacers fans by operating a replica IndyCar at high speed.

Caitlin Clark Revs Up Pacers Fans With Pregame Playoff Appearance In IndyCar Replica

Clark made her inaugural public appearance on the Gainbridge Fieldhouse court following her recent selection by the Indiana Fever in the draft. Unsurprisingly, the almost 17,000 spectators erupted into a boisterous ovation for the latest sensation in the city.

While Clark remained silent, Erica Wheeler, an experienced guard, had the opportunity to speak when she joined her new Fever colleagues during the second quarter to distribute T-shirts to the audience.

“Playoffs!” When questioned about the goal for this season, Wheeler informed the team’s emcee. “We are eager to engage in this activity and we possess all the necessary components.” We desire for it to appear in this manner on a nightly basis.

Indiana could create that impression only if it achieves its first playoff participation since 2016.

Caitlin Clark Revs Up Pacers Fans With Pregame Playoff Appearance In IndyCar Replica

However, Clark’s presence has already prompted a transformation. The Fever has quickly become one of the most popular teams in the WNBA, much like during her time at Iowa when they consistently sold out games and achieved record-breaking television ratings.

Indiana has experienced a significant increase in ticket sales, prompting other clubs, including the two-time defending WNBA champion Las Vegas, to relocate their home games to larger arenas even before the player has made her professional debut.

Caitlin Clark Revs Up Pacers Fans With Pregame Playoff Appearance In IndyCar Replica

Clark traveled to Indianapolis last Wednesday to attend an introductory news conference and returned to her Iowa residence with her family. On Friday night, she returned to town for the Pacers’ first home playoff game since April 21, 2019, and will remain there for the beginning of training camp on Sunday.

SOURCE – (AP)