In a thrilling Western Conference playoff opener, the Denver Nuggets secured a 114-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, with Nikola Jokic delivering a standout performance of 32 points and 12 rebounds.
Despite a strong start from LeBron James (27 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists) and Anthony Davis (32 points, 14 rebounds), the Nuggets rallied behind Jokic’s leadership to claim the crucial Game 1 win.
James showcased his scoring prowess in the first half, tallying 19 points and keeping the Lakers in the lead. However, the Nuggets tightened their defense in the second half, limiting James to just nine points and shutting him out in the fourth quarter until the final minutes of the game.
Alongside Jokic’s dominant display, Jamal Murray (22 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists) and Aaron Gordon (12 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) contributed double-doubles, further bolstering the Nuggets’ offensive firepower. Michael Porter Jr. also showcased his scoring ability with 19 points, highlighting the depth of the Nuggets’ roster.
Despite the Lakers’ efforts, the Nuggets’ resilience and efficiency proved too much to overcome. Denver capitalized on offensive rebounds and limited turnovers, ultimately outplaying the Lakers on both ends of the court.
With the victory, the Nuggets extended their winning streak against the Lakers to nine games.
