Nuggets advance to first NBA Finals after sweeping Lakers; Jokić named WCF MVP

The Denver Nuggets will play in the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history after completing a sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals Monday. Here’s what you need to know:

• Nikola Jokić recorded his eighth triple-double of these playoffs for Denver in the 113-111 win (30 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists), passing Wilt Chamberlain for most in a single postseason. He was named MVP of the series.
• LeBron James had 31 points in the first half — a playoff career high for a half — and 40 overall. James played all but the last few seconds of the first half, helping Los Angeles to a 15-point lead at halftime, and the entire second half.
• The Nuggets took their first lead of the game with under five minutes to go in the third quarter.
• Denver will face the winner of the Heat–Celtics series, where Miami leads 3-0, in the finals.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

James had an all-world performance Monday night…..and Jokić matched it. That, perhaps, is the clearest picture painted in terms of Joker’s greatness in this playoff run.

James turned in an all-timer against the Nuggets. He grabbed the game by the throat. He scored 40. He came an assist short of a triple-double. He completely wrecked Denver’s defense….and yet, Jokic was able to cancel that out.

How many over 20 years has been able to cancel out a classic LeBron game? Jokić just did that. Is there any doubt that Jokic is currently the best player in the world? — Jones

Aaron Gordon helps secure Nuggets’ win

The Nuggets don’t win this game without Aaron Gordon’s 22 big points. Not only that, he was the one who came up with the blocked shot on James on the final possession of the game. For the series, the Lakers have lived with Gordon taking open jumpers.

Monday night was the first time Gordon made Los Angeles pay for that strategy, making three 3-pointers, each one of them serving as big shots.

“I rep those shots out every day,” Gordon said. “Those are the shots I work on all the time.” And in a Western Conference Finals Game 4, those were the shots that ultimately lifted the Nuggets to the NBA Finals. — Jones

LeBron empties the tank

James played all but five seconds in Game 4, giving his all on both ends even as he increasingly appeared gassed. He dropped 31 points in the first half, his career high for a half in the playoffs, helping L.A. race out to a 15-point halftime lead.

In the second half, James defended Jokić, drawing two charges on back-to-back possessions that brought Jokić to five fouls midway through the fourth. He switched onto Jamal Murray admirably, corralling and containing him, for the most part.

James didn’t have the burst to get good looks on the final two offensive possessions for the Lakers — because he had already left it all on the floor. This was a superhuman performance, let alone one from a 38-year-old in Year 20. — Buha

An interesting offseason awaits for L.A.

The Lakers have…