"No ifs, ands and buts about it": LeBron James seemingly sends warning to Lakers' role players after Game 1 loss
LeBron James appeared to call out his teammates and asked them to buck up for the stern test they will endure in the remaining six games of their first-round matchup against the Denver Nuggets in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The Nuggets bagged Game 1 with a 114-103 win at the Ball Arena, marking their ninth straight win against the Lakers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis starred for the visitors but didn't get the required support from the bench.
Speaking to the media after the loss, James said they needed more to stand a chance against Denver who outplayed them in every department on Saturday night.
"I've never played on a championship team that didn't pay attention to detail. There's no if, ands or buts about it. You have to."
Throughout his 21-year NBA career, LeBron James has reached the postseason 17 times.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 32 points and 14 rebounds. LeBron James had 27 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves had 13 points each. The Nuggets bench had 17 points while the Lakers only had Taurean Prince chipping in with 11.
Spencer Dinwiddie and Gabe Vincent were scoreless while Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, and Jarred Vanderbilt were all sidelined due to injuries.
LeBron James explains how he feels about tackling a tough Denver Nuggets challenge after Game 1 loss
The loss on Saturday marked the LA Lakers' ninth-straight loss to the Denver Nuggets, leading James to admit that the defending champs "had their number" earlier this season.
However, he stressed the importance of a positive mindset going forward:
"That doesn't matter to me. I don't ever get into, a 'Here we go again' mindset... It's one game and it's on their home court. We have another opportunity on Monday to come back and be better. We know how challenging it's gonna be. We know how difficult it is and how great they are, so that's all part of the game. I don't get into the doubt mindset. That's not me."
The Lakers have six games left in the first round to get past the Nuggets. The last time they suffered a first-round exit was against the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. While they got better of the Nuggets in the 2020 playoffs, the Purple and Gold have stuttered against the team since.
LeBron James and LA will look to even the scoreline when both teams meet again at the Ball Arena on Monday (April 22) at 10 pm ET.