As the Denver Nuggets ultimately occupied a seat to the Western Conference Finals, Nikola Jokic is on a mission to lead his franchise to its maiden title. He carried the Nuggets on his back to eliminate the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first player in 60 years to average 30+ points, 10+ boards and 10+ assists in a playoff series win.
Looking back to their previous Conference Finals run which was ruined by the Los Angeles Lakers, he is hoping that this year’s situation will be new and favoring them.
“Hopefully it’s gonna be different. We lost,” Jokic said of his thoughts about their failed Conference Finals run.
Back in the 2020 NBA Bubble, the Nuggets notably came up short against the Lakers in five games of their West Finals set. L.A. went on to win the world championship after outlasting the Miami Heat.
It’s no coincidence that they may face the Lakers again up next. As such, should they fumble their 3-2 West Semis series deficit against the Golden State Warriors, Jokic and the Nuggets will have a great chance to claw a redemption after their last year’s painful playoff exit.
The defending champs ousted the shorthanded Denver squad in five games of their first-round encounter. But now, the Nuggets are all geared up as both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are all healthy and ready to spit offensive fire.
“We were in the bubble against the Lakers, doesn’t make any sense. We were injured against Golden State [last year],” he said.
“I’m just talking about the team’s we’ve lost. We have a nice opportunity to do something. We will see.”
Jokic and the Nuggets will certainly watch how the Lakers-Warriors will unfold, as the series’ pivotal Game 6 will commence on Friday.
Kevin Durant can only be blunt to what happened as the Phoenix Suns were spanked en route to a Conference Semis exit by the dominant Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
