Still as valuable in the Lakers game at 39 years old, LeBron James knows that he will have to give the best of himself to overcome the Nuggets in the days to come. As this big meeting approaches, he has just taken stock of his condition.

At the start of his 17th playoff campaign, he can boast of having suffered only 3 sweeps in his career. The latest one, which took place last year, must however act as a big source of motivation for him at the moment. LeBron James can indeed reflect on the scathing defeat inflicted on him in 2023 by the Nuggets, which he is preparing to face this Saturday.

Poster for the Western Conference finals a few months ago, this duel between Denver and the Lakers will this time take place in the first round of the finals. The pressure on the King’s shoulders, however, turns out to be similar. The latter in fact always appears as the leader of his franchise, who will certainly have to hope for great things from him to obtain his revenge. It remains to be seen whether he is capable of it.

LeBron James honest about his health before challenging the Nuggets

Now 39 years old and after 21 grueling seasons, James must take more consideration of his physique before deadlines such as the one that awaits him. Even more so remembering that his sore left ankle has deprived him of several matches in recent weeks. At the end of training this Friday, however, he was relatively reassuring in this regard at the microphone of Spectrum SportsNet :

LeBron James: I’m in a much better rhythm. Whether it’s physically, emotionally, in all these areas, I’m much better when I start this series. Last year for the Western Conference Finals, I was extremely tired from the last two weeks of the regular season. I’m not 100%, but I don’t think anyone is right now.

If he therefore admits not to arrive in Colorado without the slightest embarrassment, LeBron nevertheless believes that he is in a much better physical situation than a year ago. A good omen for his team, knowing that he was not unworthy with averages of 27.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 10.0 assists in this one-sided series. For now, he remains mentioned in the Angelinos’ injury report:

Certainly still bothered by his left ankle, LeBron James claims to approach the series against Denver in much better physical shape than last year. That’s all the Lakers can want, who still rely on his prowess.