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.
