The defending champions, the Nuggets, prevailed 108-106 in a tight game that was the fifth game of the best-of-seven series.
Jamal Murray finished with 32 points, including the game-winning basket with just 3.6 seconds remaining in the tie.
For the Lakers, James’ thirty points and eleven assists were in vain.
The all-time top scorer in the NBA was going for his fifth championship, his first with the Lakers since 2020.
However, James did not say if he had played his final game for the Lakers when questioned about his future.
He answered, “I’m not going to answer that.”
“I just want to get home to the family, honestly, and start looking at the schedule.”
He stated that he will go to Las Vegas for a USA Basketball training camp in advance of the Olympics after spending some time with his family.
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 97-89 to advance to the round of eight in the Western Conference.
