LeBron James and the Lakers are out of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
On face value, that is not necessarily a surprising statement. Los Angeles was eliminated in five games to the reigning NBA champion Nuggets, who finished shy of the No. 1 seed by tiebreakers. Denver is part of a trio of teams at the top of the Western Conference that look like the clear favorites to come out of the conference.
But what is surprising is the stat that comes up as a result of the Lakers being eliminated.
With James out, the 2024 NBA Playoffs will be the first time since 2005 that none of James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant reached the second round of the playoffs, according to Statmuse.
No LeBron, KD or Steph in the second round for the first time since 2005. pic.twitter.com/eH2Oa9h4Pd
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 30, 2024
To put that stat in context, neither Curry nor Durant were in the league in 2005. James was only in his second year in the NBA. The Cavaliers that season finished fourth in the Central Division at 42-40 and were not among the eight Eastern Conference teams to reach the playoffs.
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All three had their opportunities to advance to the playoffs. The Warriors were the No. 10 seed and reached the Play-In Tournament, but were one-and-done against the Kings, knocking Curry out of the playoffs. The Suns had among the most star power in the playoffs, but a lack of depth led to a disappointing sweep in the first round by the Timberwolves. That took Durant out.
The last left among the trio was James. The Lakers staved off elimination by taking Game 4 against the Nuggets in Los Angeles but fell in Game 5 in Denver.
The Lakers by far put up the best fight. On top of being the only team to win a game, Los Angeles lost their four games by a combined 18 points and overall had a playoff point differential of minus-11. Phoenix had a point differential of 60 and lost all but Game 4 by double digits. Golden State lost to the Kings by 24.
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The NBA is in a different state than it used to be. For so often, it felt the league was one of dynasties led by stars. There were the Bill Russell Celtics. There were the Magic Johnson Lakers and Larry Bird Celtics. There was of course the Michael Jordan Bulls, the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O'Neal Lakers and Tim Duncan Spurs. Lately, James led the Heat to multiple titles and Curry led the Warriors to a dynastic run, including a pair with Durant.
But over the past five years, there have been five different NBA champions, all led by different stars. Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry powered the Raptors to a title. James and Anthony Davis took the Lakers to another ring. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a championship. Curry brought the Warriors back on top. And Nikola Jokic added a ring to his impressive resume with the Nuggets.
The 2024 NBA Playoffs could be no different. There is no shortage of young stars, and there are perhaps more than ever. Jokic is still around with Denver. Jayson Tatum is hoping this is the Celtics' year. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren are leading the upstart Thunder. Anthony Edwards is the face of a stout Timberwolves squad. Tyrese Haliburton is making his mark with the Pacers. Jalen Brunson is exploding once again for the Knicks.
There has quite possibly never been more standout young talent in the playoffs than in 2024. That James, Curry and Durant are out of the title race before the second round of the postseason shows just how much the league has shifted toward the next wave of stars.
