Denver Nuggets oust Lakers to reach NBA Finals for first time

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 22: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts a shot against the Denver Nuggets during the final seconds of fourth quarter in game four of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

(AFP) – Nikola Jokic led a dramatic second-half fightback as the Denver Nuggets completed a 4-0 Western Conference championship sweep over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.

Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic finished with 30 points after the Nuggets overturned a 15-point half-time deficit to send LeBron James and the Lakers crashing out of the postseason with a 113-111 victory at the Crypto.com Arena.