NBA Game Notes (June 1, 2023)

Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on June 1, 2023.

Jokic, Murray Lift Nuggets

Led by the dynamic duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Denver Nuggets handled the Miami Heat 104-93 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Game 2 will be played on Sunday in Denver.

Jokic recorded his ninth triple-double of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, tallying 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists. He’s just the second player in NBA history to produce a triple-double in his Finals debut, joining Jason Kidd (June 5, 2002).

Jokic’s 14 assists are the most in NBA history by a player in his first Finals game. It’s also the most assists recorded by a center in a Finals game, surpassing Bill Russell’s 13 on April 25, 1969.

Jokic shot 8-12 from the field and 10-12 from the free throw line. It’s the fifth time he’s recorded a triple-double while shooting at least 60% from the field in a playoff game, just one shy of the NBA record of six such games shared by Magic Johnson and LeBron James.