NBA: LeBron James Considering Retirement After Nuggets Sweeps Lakers

The career of LeBron James seems at a turning point after the Los Angeles Lakers got swept by the Denver Nuggets from the playoffs on Monday night.

After the must-win game for the Lakers, LeBron James said he would contemplate retiring over the summer after abruptly ending his 20th NBA season.

LeBron James delivered an incredible performance in Game 4 against the Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets. James scored 40 points and played almost the whole game to help keep the Lakers alive in the Western Conference Finals series. But he failed, especially after he missed a jump shot, and then his drive to the basket got blocked during the final seconds.

At the postgame news conference, LeBron James expressed concerns about the future of his basketball career. "I've got a lot to think about," he said.

The four-time MVP later revealed more about his thinking process in an interview with ESPN. He said, "If I want to continue to play," implying that the following season is in doubt.

.@KingJames: “Personally, going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about.” pic.twitter.com/RYOoj3H9Qa
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 23, 2023

LeBron James and the LA Lakers have had a successful season, despite a lackluster start. The team staged a remarkable recovery to gain a spot in the Western Conference Finals after their play-in participation, beating the defending champions Golden State Warriors in the semi-final round, and James won the honor of NBA's all-time leading scorer.

Despite his accomplishments this NBA season, LeBron James has shown indications of slowing down on the court, but he still ranks among the best players in the game. He's helped the Lakers this season with 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists.

Denver Nuggets Make NBA History

On the other side of the matchup, the Denver Nuggets celebrated their first-ever appearance in the NBA Finals. Nikola Jokic was crowned Western Conference Finals MVP after three triple-doubles, including a Game 4 effort of 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists.

In Game 4, the Lakers got off to a good start on their home floor but eventually fell victim to the Nuggets' comeback, losing by a narrow 113-111 final score.

The stunning third-quarter comeback by the Nuggets, who outscored the Lakers 36-16, gave them the win and guaranteed their spot in the 2023 NBA Finals. They will face the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.