After falling behind 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals to the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers, at the very least, were trying to not get swept in front of their home fans in Game 4 on Monday.
But despite taking a 15-point lead at halftime, they flamed out in the second half and fell just short, 113-111, resulting in a four-game sweep. What suddenly looked like a very promising season for most of the last three months is now over.
While L.A. is left to figure out how to put the finishing touches on what is certainly a good roster, the Nuggets will be playing for the NBA championship for the first time in their history.
Fans on Twitter reacted to what was an anticlimactic end to the Lakers’ year.
I got first dibs on window seats.. already have my flip flops on and swim shorts. Cancun here we go
— 💜💛 𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓛𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓻𝓼 💜💛 (@LakersDynastyLD) May 23, 2023
Kyrie to the lakers confirmed ‼️
— Jeremiah Williams (@jwill2378) May 23, 2023
– A 2-10 start
– 7th seed getting into the playoffs
– Distroyed the 2nd seed Grizzlies
– Ended the @warriors dynasty.
No doubt this was a great season by the @Lakers— Etsub Mengistu (@EtsubMengistu) May 23, 2023
For the Lakers to battle how they did all season with a new coach and complete restructuring mid season, I’m proud of my squad.
— James Butler II (@JamesButlerII) May 23, 2023
Lakers started the year 2-10, at which point analytics gave them a 0.3% chance to make the playoffs.
They made the playoffs, knocked off the defending champions and played in the Western Conference Finals.
What a season. They’ll make a move or two in the offseason and be back.
— Patrick Lawrence (@iAmPatrickL) May 23, 2023
No doubt the better team won…congrats, @nuggets, eye on the prize!🏆@Lakers @KingJames, you've exceeded this season's expectations, stay healthy and bounce back stronger next season🏀💪 @NBA
— Joonnie Centeno (@Joonnie_Centeno) May 23, 2023
Congratulations to Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on winning the Western Conference finals. Nice effort by the Lakers. Each game was close. Great effort by @KingJames in a close out game. Not bad for a 38 year old.
— Stephen D Akinduro (@StephenAkinduro) May 23, 2023
Lakers better not fall into the old trap of building a super team. Bron and AD not durable enough to have a top heavy team. The team needs quality role players that fit perfectly and can hold the fort down in the event one of the co-stars go down with injury
— Aaron (@Aaron_DMV) May 23, 2023
If I’m lakers I sign back both reaves and rui and trade AD for Kyrie🤷🏾♂️
— InToniWeTrust (@PrinceToni_) May 23, 2023
look im a say this the lakers wasnt posed to make the off season. after trades and all the ups and downs yeah i see the reality.
— #THEARTOFBEINGCOLDOUTNOW (@AgallahTheDon) May 23, 2023
40 Points
10 Rebounds
9 Assists
At the age of 38
And somehow LeBron James will still get blamed for the Lakers downfall. Weird world we are living in.— Benda 🐼 (@benda_davies) May 23, 2023
