NBA Game Notes (May 1, 2023)

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

Nuggets Rally Behind Jokic

Nikola Jokic recorded game highs of 39 points and 16 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets rallied to defeat the Phoenix Suns 97-87 in Game 2 of their Western Conference Semifinals matchup. The Nuggets lead the series 2-0 as the teams head to Phoenix for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday.

Jokic also dished out five assists, the third straight game in which he’s recorded at least 20 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. Jokic is one of only five players in NBA history to record at least three such playoff games in a row (a total of eight instances):

• 5 — Tim Duncan (May 19-27, 2003)

• 4 — Wilt Chamberlain (April 11-17, 1968)

• 3 — Bill Russell (April 8-11, 1968)

• 3 — Chamberlain (April 5-11, 1967)

• 3 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (April 11-17, 1970)

• 3 — Abdul-Jabbar (April 14-18, 1971)

• 3 — Abdul-Jabbar (March 28–April 1, 1972)

• 3 — Nikola Jokic (April 25–May 1, 2023)

Jokic made 17 of his 30 attempts from the field (56.7%). It’s the most field goals Jokic has attempted in any game this season, regular season or postseason. He also matched his season high for field goals made in a game.

Teammate Jamal Murray struggled from the field, misfiring on 12 of his 15 shots, including all nine of his 3-pointers. Murray set a franchise record for most 3-pointers attempted in a playoff game without a make. It wasn’t all bad for Murray, who handed out a game-high eight assists and did not commit a personal foul in his 39 minutes.

The Nuggets trailed the Suns 42-40 at halftime, matching the fewest points they’ve scored in a first half in any game this season (regular season included). The Nuggets scored 10 straight points spanning the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth quarter to take a lead they never relinquished.

The Suns’ Devin Booker scored a team-high 35 points in the loss, adding six assists and five rebounds. Booker shot 14-29 from the floor, including 4-8 from 3-point range.

Booker has scored at least 25 points in each of his last seven playoff games, breaking a tie with Steve Nash (May 13-24, 2005) and Kevin Durant (April 16-29, 2023) for the longest such streak in franchise history.

Speaking of Durant, he scored 24 points but was held to 10-27 shooting from the field. That included a 2-12 performance from 3-point range, the most 3-pointers he’s ever missed in a playoff game.