Nuggets Champion Gets Honest About LeBron James in Lakers Sweep

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The Denver Nuggets swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, and they were able to survive some impressive performances from LeBron James. Amongst these was his 30-point first half in Game 4, which wasn't enough for the Lakers to win one game at home.
During a recent podcast episode, Nuggets champion and new Indiana Pacers guard Bruce Brown spoke about that game, saying James simply ran out of gas following his monster first half.
"I knew we were going to get Game 3," Brown said. "I thought they would get Game 4 just off of they're down 3-0 and they're going to play way harder, but [LeBron James] ran out of gas. Like he had 30 in the first half... He was going to have to score 60. He was done... He was burnt out."
"I knew we were going to get Game 3... I thought they would get Game 4 just off of they're down 3-0 and they're going to play way harder, but Bron ran out of gas. Like he had 30 in the first half... he was going to have to score 60. He was done... He was burnt out."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 18, 2023
Bruce Brown… pic.twitter.com/WDeb8Sra65
With the Lakers desperate to extend the series, while also playing at home, Brown thought they would win Game 4. When James came out the way he did in that first half, it was looking like a real possibility that LA would get one, but he ran out of gas. Scoring just nine points in the second half, James and the Lakers were outscored by 17 points, and Denver completed the sweep.
Looking back on that series, Bruce Brown didn't expect a sweep, but understands why it happened.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.