The Denver Nuggets emerged victorious in a thrilling Western Conference playoff opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Nikola Jokic leading the charge with 32 points and 12 rebounds. Despite strong performances from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Nuggets rallied behind Jokic’s leadership to secure a 114-103 win in Game 1. James started strong with 27 points, but the Nuggets’ defense tightened in the second half, limiting him to just nine points and shutting him out in the fourth quarter until late in the game. Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon also contributed double-doubles, while Michael Porter Jr. showcased his scoring ability with 19 points. The Nuggets’ resilience and efficient play proved too much for the Lakers, extending their winning streak against them to nine games.
Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic leads team to victory in Game 1 against Lakers
