The Denver Nuggets are already gearing up for the 2024 NBA Playoffs as they strive to defend their championship title.

They are set to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, the same squad they swept last year in the Western Conference Finals.

Leading up to the bloodbath, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone praised Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, commending his remarkable longevity and invaluable contributions to the game.

"It's year 21, and the guy is getting better... Not just his body of work, but what he's doing at present day is incredible. I hope he gets tired. I hope he wears down. But I've seen no signs of LeBron James slowing down by any means," the 52-year-old told the media during team practice on Thursday, April 18.

The Nuggets and Lakers are set to face off in Game 1 of their first-round matchup on Saturday, April 20, at the Ball Arena in Denver.

Michael Malone reminds the Lakers of recent sweeps

In addition to sweeping them out of the playoffs last season, the Nuggets also emerged victorious in all three regular-season matchups against the Lakers in the 2023-24 season.

Malone made sure to remind them of that fact during a previous interview.

"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," the two-time NBA All-Star Game head coach said.