Denver Nuggets Take 1-0 Lead in First Round of 2023 Playoffs
Game 1: Denver Nuggets 114, Los Angeles Lakers 103
Nikola Jokić's Historic Performance Leads Nuggets to Victory
In the first game of their Western Conference first-round matchup, the Denver Nuggets took an early lead in the series with a 114-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Nikola Jokić, the reigning NBA MVP, put up a record-setting performance, recording his eighth triple-double of the 2023 playoffs.
Jokić finished the game with 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists. His triple-double was the first in a playoff game by a Nuggets player since Fat Lever in 1985. Jokić also became the first player in NBA history to record eight triple-doubles in a single playoff season.
In addition to Jokić's performance, the Nuggets also received strong contributions from Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. Murray scored 21 points, while Gordon added 19 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 23 points, while LeBron James scored 22 points.
The Nuggets took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 33-23. Denver shot 55.6% from the field in the quarter, including 4-of-8 from three-point range. The Lakers, meanwhile, shot just 38.5% from the field in the third quarter.
The Nuggets held on to their lead in the fourth quarter, despite a late rally by the Lakers. Los Angeles cut the deficit to just five points with less than two minutes remaining, but the Nuggets were able to close out the game at the free throw line.
With their Game 1 victory, the Nuggets now have home-court advantage in the series. Game 2 is scheduled for Friday night at Ball Arena in Denver.
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