In a dominant performance, Nikola Jokic achieved his third consecutive triple-double and 18th of the season, recording 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists. His remarkable long buzzer-beater against the Golden State Warriors sealed the victory for the defending champion Denver Nuggets, who triumphed with a final score of 119-103 on Sunday night.
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
Jokic mirrored Stephen Curry’s style with a 40-foot shot that echoed Curry’s signature range. This clutch play helped Denver stage a comeback victory, prevailing 130-127 against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on January 4. The Denver Nuggets continued their dominance over Curry and his team, securing a four-game season series sweep. In the recent Sunday matchup, Jokic maintained his scoring prowess, shooting 13 for 24, and achieved his 122nd career regular-season triple-double.
Klay Thompson showcased his scoring prowess, amassing 23 points in the first half. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry, despite a sluggish start where he missed his initial seven 3-point attempts, rallied to finish with 20 points—with all but four of those points coming in the second half. Curry finally connected on his sole 3-pointer with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter, overcoming a 1-for-10 performance from beyond the arc. Notably, the two-time MVP climbed the NBA’s scoring ladder, surpassing both Dwyane Wade (23,165 points) to secure 32nd place and Adrian Dantley (23,177 points) to claim 31st place on the all-time scoring list.
Murray contributed 27 points, while Aaron Gordon added 17 points to the Denver Nuggets’ seventh consecutive victory over the Golden State Warriors. This win marks their tenth triumph in eleven matchups and extends their streak of five consecutive wins on Golden State’s home court since their 113-102 defeat on March 10, 2022.
Trailing 65-61 after Stephen Curry’s driving layup at the 10:30 mark of the third quarter, the Denver Nuggets responded with an impressive 14-0 burst, propelling them to a 75-65 lead. Nikola Jokic contributed consecutive layups, while Jamal Murray followed with five straight points. The Nuggets continued their momentum, closing out the first half with a 14-0 run in the final 2:47, resulting in a 61-61 tie heading into halftime.
Thompson started strong, making 5 out of 7 initial shots and 4 out of 6 three-pointers. By halftime, he had already scored 23 points with a 7-for-12 shooting performance. The crowd showed their appreciation with a warm standing ovation when he took a break with 4:51 remaining in the second quarter.
In the recent game, Jonathan Kuminga contributed 19 points, while Andrew Wiggins showcased his skills by sinking his first four shots, ultimately tallying 14 points for the Golden State Warriors. The team had been on a roll, securing victories in three consecutive games and 10 out of their last 12.
In his initial encounter with the Denver Nuggets this season, Draymond Green showcased his versatility on the court. Despite missing the previous three games (two due to separate suspensions and the first on November 8 for personal reasons), he managed to contribute seven points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Kevon Looney achieved an impressive milestone by playing his 284th consecutive game in both regular season and playoffs. This remarkable feat places him alongside Neil Johnston for the fifth-longest such streak in the franchise’s history.
ALSO READ | LeBron James scores 30 points, Davis handles Wembanyama’s effort in Lakers’ 123-118 win over Spurs