LeBron James gives Lakers fans hope they thought was impossible with shocking act

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-125 in overtime behind a hustle play from LeBron James that nobody expected. The King leaped fully out to save a ball in the final minute of regulation with his team down one. Jamal Murray ended up tying him up for a jump ball, but nobody expected the 41-year-old to show that much hustle. The Lakers need LeBron to be the number three offensive option to be a serious title threat, and this play proved he’s committed to doing whatever it takes.

This was a massive contest for the Lakers. They have won five straight, but Saturday’s victory secured the season series against the Nuggets. With the win came a crucial playoff seeding tiebreaker between two teams fighting for the third in the Western Conference. LA is dominating the Pacific Division, which gives them the edge in three-team scenarios. Those tiebreakers could be the difference between having homecourt or not in the first round.

LeBron is giving fans hope that this team can make a deep playoff run. The Lakers have three stars and are playing their best basketball at the right time. It has been helped by James buying into a new role that unlocks the entire team. The difference-making was on full display in this one.

LeBron James’ hustle play gives Lakers fans hope for title contention

LA has three ball-dominant stars. They can’t just play your turn, my turn offense, especially in the playoffs. Luka Doncic is going to lead, and the Lakers are better off with Austin Reaves in that secondary role. It means LeBron has to take a step back and focus more on his defense. It has been working, and Saturday’s hustle play quietly saved the must-win game for the Lakers.

Head coach JJ Redick said after the game that he hadn't seen LeBron make a full extension dive like that, but that is what the Lakers needed. The game was on the line, and King James delivered in a different way than fans expected.

The 41-year-old superstar finished with 17 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 40 minutes of action. He was seven of 13 from the field, but took the fourth-most shots on the team. Luka Doncic had a 30-point triple-double as Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 32. Marcus Smart hit five 3-pointers and had 21 points in the win.

James didn’t try to take over. He was playing stout defense, picking his spots, and making winning plays.

The Lakers need this LeBron to make a deep playoff run. They dominated the Nuggets when the jumpers were falling and struggling in the second half as things went cold. Without LeBron stealing this possession, the Lakers may not have won. It is the little things, and the GOAT is buying into doing them in hopes of winning his fifth ring.

Los Angeles Lakers fans are starting to believe in this group. Luka Doncic is one of the three best players in the world. Austin Reaves has become a star, and LeBron James can morph into whatever role the purple and gold need on a given night. That is a dangerous combination in the playoffs.

Don’t look now, but the Lakers are title contenders. Fans didn’t think it would happen. They are certainly happy to be proven wrong.