The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a critical situation as they face the possibility of being eliminated from the playoffs. However, there is some positive news for them heading into Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham has announced that center Mo Bamba will return after recovering from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since the team's first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham tells @NBAonTNT he expects center Mo Bamba (ankle) to be available for Game 4 vs. Nuggets on Monday.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 21, 2023
Bamba has missed nine consecutive playoff games and rejoins the Lakers with the team trailing 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals. In their last game at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night, the Lakers suffered a defeat against the Nuggets in Game 3.
The Lakers acquired Bamba from the Orlando Magic in a trade during the current season's deadline. Throughout the regular season, the 25-year-old player appeared in just nine games for Los Angeles, averaging 3.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game.
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Mo Bamba's Return is an Additional Option
Bamba's return offers the Lakers an additional option to contain the dominant presence of Nuggets star Nikola Jokic in the frontcourt. Jokic, a two-time MVP, has been exceptional in the conference finals, averaging 27.0 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 11.3 assists. His shooting percentages have been remarkable, with a 52.6 percent accuracy from the field and an impressive 45.5 percent from three-point range.
While the Lakers prioritize slowing down Jokic, they have also struggled to find an answer for the scoring prowess of point guard Jamal Murray, who has been outstanding in the series, averaging 35.0 points per game. Murray seems fueled by the desire to avenge Denver's loss to Los Angeles in the 2020 Western Conference Finals.
The Lakers aim to accomplish a historic feat by becoming the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit. However, this will be an enormous challenge against a talented Nuggets team, even with the return of Bamba.
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