In the Western Conference playoff opener, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 114-103 with a strong performance from Nikola Jokic, who finished with 32 points and 12 rebounds. Jamal Murray and Anthony Gordon also posted double-doubles, while Michael Porter Jr. nearly did with 19 points and eight boards. LeBron James had 27 points for the Lakers, and Anthony Davis added 32 points and 14 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as the Nuggets claimed their ninth consecutive win against the Lakers and handed James just his fourth loss in 17 first-round openers.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played a significant role for the Nuggets, scoring all 12 of his points in the second half, including a trio of 3-pointers in a 13-0 run that helped Denver take control in the third quarter. Porter, who had a challenging week off the court, excelled in the game as predicted by coach Michael Malone. Despite personal struggles, Porter’s performance on the court provided a much-needed escape for him and his family.
The Nuggets headed into the playoffs with high confidence after a successful regular season where they tied a franchise record with 57 wins. Jokic, who stars in a teaser for “Despicable Me 4,” arrived at the game dressed like the lead character, Felonius Gru. In contrast, James played the antagonist for the sold-out crowd, setting the stage for an intense matchup between the two teams. James showcased his skills in the first half with a 32-foot 3-pointer that broke a tie, but the Nuggets took control with a 13-0 run in the third quarter.
While the Lakers made a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets maintained their lead with key plays from Porter and Jokic. Denver is aiming to become the first team to successfully defend their NBA title since the Golden State Warriors achieved this six years ago. The Lakers, on the other hand, have not beaten the Nuggets since 2022 and will look to turn things around in Game 2. With a strong home record, the Nuggets will aim to build on their Game 1 victory and secure a series lead.
James suffered his 18th loss in 80 first-round games and his fourth playoff opener defeat with the Lakers. Despite previous struggles in opening games, James has a track record of bouncing back in playoff series. The Nuggets, led by Jokic, Murray, and Porter, will aim to continue their winning streak against the Lakers in Game 2 and move one step closer to defending their NBA title.
