The King was displeased as LA fell behind

LeBron James‘ competitiveness has helped him break records and change organizations into winners. At 39 years old, James knows that his remaining time in the NBA is limited — one reason, perhaps, as to why he was so frustrated when his Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets again on Saturday night.

Despite boasting a halftime lead at Ball Arena, James and the Lakers went cold in the second half of their 2024 playoff opener and watched as Nikola Jokic led second-seeded Denver to a 114-103 comeback victory. Seventh-seeded Los Angeles did not want to fall in a hole in the first round — and James lamented the Lakers’ inability to get the job done against a team that has tortured them in recent meetings.

LeBron talks details

Speaking to reporters late on Saturday night, James said that the Lakers have to commit themselves to greater focus and attention to the little things. The 21-year veteran said that all four of his championship rings were won by observing those details that Los Angeles let get away in Game 1 of this first-round series.

James was the target of criticism himself for taking just six shots in the second half as the Lakers squandered a 60-57 lead built up over the first 24 minutes. Los Angeles’ turnovers became an issue, especially as Denver hardly turned the ball over at all (six turnovers to the Lakers’ 12), while the visitors were outrebounded 49-40 overall and 15-6 on the offensive glass. Against the defending NBA champions, James knows that effort wasn’t quite good enough.

Opportunity wasted?

James has been around long enough to understand that his team — not favored to beat the Nuggets in a best-of-seven series — has to take advantage of every potential marginal call or strong individual performance to have a shot at winning the series. It is possible that the Lakers’ best chance got away from them in Game 1.

Los Angeles was unable to win despite playing James and Anthony Davis more than 40 minutes apiece in difficult conditions at high altitude. While some criticized LeBron‘s passive fourth quarter, he still put up 27 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, while Davis tied a game-high with 32 points while adding 14 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks.

The two stars’ best efforts were hindered by poor shooting around them, and the Lakers were outscored by 21 points from the 3-point line in a tough defeat. James and Davis will have to summon another huge effort — and have a third player go off — in order to even the series on Monday night before it shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4.