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The stage is set for another intense showdown between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers as they clash in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.
These Western Conference powerhouses have a history of fierce competition, marked by heated exchanges on and off the court.
Last season’s Western Conference Finals witnessed plenty of verbal sparring between the two teams, particularly fueled by Nuggets head coach Mike Malone. Malone’s outspoken remarks during the championship parade after the Nuggets clinched their first NBA title only added fuel to the rivalry.
In anticipation of their playoff rematch, Malone was candid when asked about facing the Lakers, reflecting the competitive spirit that defines this matchup.
“We swept them last year. We swept them this year. They come in playing really well and hungry. They want to flip that script. Our players understand that.”
Michael Malone on the Lakers: “We swept them last year. We swept them this year. They come in playing really well and hungry. They want to flip that script. Our players understand that.”
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) April 17, 2024
Despite the Lakers’ status as the reigning NBA champions, they enter this series as the underdogs, with many doubting their ability to overcome the formidable Nuggets. Led by LeBron James, the Lakers are determined to prove their mettle against the top contenders in the conference.
On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets are eager to maintain their dominance over Los Angeles for a second consecutive postseason, aiming to assert their superiority on the court.
As the playoffs unfold, both teams are poised to deliver a compelling contest, with each side motivated to make a statement and secure victory in this high-stakes series.
More must-reads:
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- Lakers' injury woes come during tough stretch of games
- The 'Active NBA players with the most 20-point games in a season' quiz
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Former Lakers draft pick showcasing potential with dominant performances
Jalen Hood-Schifino’s NBA journey has been anything but smooth. After being selected 17th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 NBA Draft, his rookie season was derailed by injuries, significantly stalling his development. His time in Los Angeles ended abruptly when he was included in the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. Hood-Schifino was shipped to the Utah Jazz as part of the deal — only to be swiftly waived. Now, the 21-year-old guard is getting a fresh start with the Philadelphia 76ers, signing a two-way contract on Feb. 28. While he has yet to debut for the Sixers, he has been making an impact in the G League with the Delaware Blue Coats, showcasing the talent that once made him a first-round pick. Through his first three games with Delaware, Hood-Schifino has averaged an impressive 27 points and four assists while shooting 50 percent from three-point range — all in just 25.3 minutes per game. His last two outings have been particularly dominant, with back-to-back 30-plus-point performances and 12 made three-pointers over the three-game span. His ability to score at all three levels, combined with his 6-foot-6 frame, has made him a tough matchup for G League defenders. This is not the first time he has excelled at this level; last season, he played 15 games for the South Bay Lakers, averaging 22 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while shooting 43.2 percent from deep. His biggest concern has been his health, but now that he is fully fit, his offensive skill set is on display. Even when healthy last season, Hood-Schifino struggled to earn minutes in the Lakers’ rotation as the team continuously reshaped its roster in pursuit of playoff success. However, with the 76ers’ season not going as planned, there could be an opportunity for him to get NBA minutes before the regular season concludes. As Philadelphia evaluates its roster for next season, Hood-Schifino’s strong G League production suggests he may still have a future at the NBA level. If he continues his impressive play, he could force his way into a role in Philadelphia or elsewhere.
Steelers lose their third free agent of the week to same team following departure of once-promising trade acquisition
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Mike Williams from the New York Jets at the 2024 trade deadline. The move provided immediate dividends, as the Steelers won a game against the Washington Commanders thanks to a catch from Mike Williams in his first career game with the Steelers. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of his time in Pittsburgh ,and now he's headed back to where it all started... Chargers sign third former Steeler of the Week, WR Mike Williams "BREAKING: The Chargers are signing WR Mike Williams to a 1-year deal worth up to $6M as he returns to Los Angeles — where he spent the first seven years of his career, sources tell NFL on FOX. Williams is back catching passes from Justin Herbert." - Jordan Schultz, Fox Sports In case you missed the first two, Donte Jackson and Najee Harris headed to the West Coast earlier in the week. Jackson will be a bit of an acquired taste in Los Angeles and for HC Jim Harbaugh. After receiving him in a trade that sent Diontae Jackson packing, many were skeptical of trading for an often-injured corner who is smaller and slighter than what the Steelers normally covet. Najee Harris averaged less than four yards per carry during his time with the Steelers, and he never had that second gear that Pittsburgh saw at Alabama. However, Harris also never played with a good offensive line and was asked to be the bell cow for an offense that changed running schemes multiple times. And still, he reached over 1,000 yards and five-plus rushing TDs every year in Pittsburgh, all the while not missing a start, much less a game. Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh has a type at RB, and Najee Harris fits that type. A road grader with a ton of durability and power, he’s exactly what the Chargers want their lead back to look like. So it’s a move that brings Najee Harris back to his home state of California and brings the Los Angeles Chargers closer to being the offense they want to be: A smashmouth team that throws off play action. As for Mike Williams, the familiarity with the Chargers and the fact that the team still has a need at the WR position made this move easy to see coming.
New York Yankees Get Excellent News Out of Gerrit Cole's Elbow Surgery
The New York Yankees got devastating news this week when it was revealed that ace Gerrit Cole would miss the entire season because of an elbow injury. However, if you're looking silver linings, the Yankees got great news out of the surgery, Per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com: Gerrit Cole’s UCL surgery included internal bracing, according to the Yankees, which can reduce inflammation and speed recovery time. Generally speaking, this could mean he is closer to a 12-month recovery than if he had the procedure with the traditional method. Given when the injury occurred, there is even a slight chance that Cole could be ready for Opening Day in 2026. For example, Spencer Strider had Tommy John surgery early in the 2024 season and is set to come back by late April of this year. Lucas Giolito of the Red Sox had internal bracing done last spring training and was on track for an Opening Day return this year until he injured his hamstring. The 34-year-old Cole is one of the best pitchers of his era, having gone 153-80 over a 12-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros and Yankees. A six-time All-Star, Cole won the American League Cy Young Award in 2023 and has won two ERA titles. He dealt with elbow issues last season but returned to go 8-5 in 17 starts as the Yankees won the American League pennant. He pitched just 95 innings for the season, striking out 99. The Yankees will open up the season on March 27 at home against the Milwaukee Brewers.
NHL insider reveals young star traded to Buffalo was 'devastated' in debut
Josh Norris had made a home in the NHL in Ottawa, and after the trade to Buffalo, he was unsurprisingly devastated by the change in circumstances, with a major insider revealing how sorry he felt for the 25-year old star. The Ottawa Senators made some big moves at the trade deadline, but none were bigger than giving up franchise mainstay Josh Norris in a deal that saw them acquire Dylan Cozens from the Buffalo Sabres. Since arriving in Ottawa, Cozens had been thriving, showing how happy he is to finally be off the struggling Sabres, but unfortunately on the other side of the coin, Norris was devastated by the move. That comment comes from Elliotte Friedman, who pointed out the obvious as he watched Norris make his debut for the Sabres, as he went from a Stanley Cup Playoffs race to a team that has the longest drought in the NHL, stretching back 14 years. In three games thus far, Norris has tallied a goal and an assist, but given the change in scenery which made Brady Tkachuk immensely emotional after spending six seasons in Ottawa, it's easy to see why he's frustrated and upset about his change in scenery. Ultimately, the Sabres are now likely to keep Norris as a key piece of their future, and with another five years left on his current deal with a $7.95 million cap hit every season. While he's got plenty of talent and could be great for Buffalo, it's hard not to feel sorry for him after all he gave to Ottawa through an injury-riddled run with the team.
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