Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers took place on Tuesday, where star center Nikola Jokić stole the show with an unbelievable game.
The two-time MVP winner had a tough test against an elite defender in Lakers big man Anthony Davis. That didn’t seem to bother him one bit, putting up one of his best performances of the postseason.
Jokić had little trouble making his presence felt in the game, finishing with 34 points including this ridiculous buzzer-beater over Davis.
NIKOLA JOKIC 👀🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/guXgiT7H91
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 17, 2023
Scoring wasn’t even his best skill in this game. He also recorded 21 rebounds with 12 coming in the first quarter.
JOKIC HAS 12 REBOUNDS AND COUNTING IN THE FIRST 😱 pic.twitter.com/59iG26DkB0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 17, 2023
His passing skills were also on full display, finishing with 14 assists to record his third-consecutive postseason triple-double.
Nikola Jokić had 34 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. He now has two of the four playoff games in NBA history with at least 30 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists.
It’s his third straight triple-double and sixth of the 2023 postseason. pic.twitter.com/0U9IAtLGzU
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 17, 2023
Jokić’s unbelievable effort in every aspect of this game helped the Nuggets hold off the Lakers and secure a 132-126 victory to take Game 1 of the series.
THE NUGGETS STRIKE FIRST IN GAME 1 😤 pic.twitter.com/mxkUIJomoW
— ESPN (@espn) May 17, 2023
The NBA world certainly took notice of this ridiculous game from Jokić, singing his praises on social media.
NIKOLA JOKIC TONIGHT:
34 POINTS
21 REBOUNDS
14 ASSISTSGENERATIONAL TALENT pic.twitter.com/e21IZsnakz
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 17, 2023
NIKOLA JOKIC:
34 POINTS
21 REBOUNDS
14 ASSISTS
2 BLOCKS
70% FG
100% 3PBEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD pic.twitter.com/m3JbDDTuvS
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 17, 2023
NIKOLA JOKIC THE REAL MVP pic.twitter.com/PbyCqTdmhC
— OddsStack (@OddsStack) May 17, 2023
NIKOLA JOKIC IS NOT REAL LMAOOO pic.twitter.com/eb5VnbVoDd
— AJ King (@allday_ajking) May 17, 2023
Plenty of players have recorded triple-doubles in a postseason game. However, there is a real argument that this was one of the best postseason performances of all time from him on Tuesday night.
This performance makes Jokić the first player in NBA postseason history to record a 30-point triple-double in consecutive games while shooting 70 percent from the field.
Nikola Jokic is the 1st player in NBA postseason history with a 30-point triple-double and 70% shooting in consecutive games. pic.twitter.com/AZXw4qn86h
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 17, 2023
It is re’s second 30-20 triple-double in his postseason career. The only other players to do so even once in a postseason game are Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Jokić is special 🔥 pic.twitter.com/viGOrkoaXo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 17, 2023
The postseason accolades are obviously great for Jokić, but he certainly had more team-oriented goals of winning an NBA Championship. He and the Nuggets will have their chance to take a 2-0 lead in this series on Thursday night.
