Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a 114-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference playoff opener, with a double-double of 32 points and 12 rebounds.

By the Numbers
  • Jamal Murray contributed 22 points and 10 assists.
  • Aaron Gordon added 12 points and 11 rebounds.
  • Michael Porter Jr. scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Yes, But

The Lakers lost to the Nuggets for the ninth consecutive time, despite LeBron James scoring 27 points and Anthony Davis putting up 32 points and 14 rebounds.

State of Play
  • The Denver Nuggets are looking to defend their NBA title, aiming to become the first team to do so since the Golden State Warriors in 2018.
  • The Lakers will face the Nuggets again in Game 2 at Ball Arena, where Denver boasts a 34-8 record this season.
What's Next

The Los Angeles Lakers will seek to bounce back in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Monday night, aiming to break Denver's winning streak against them.

Bottom Line

Nikola Jokic's stellar performance led the Denver Nuggets to a victory over the Lakers in the playoff opener, setting the stage for an intense series as the Lakers aim to turn the tide in Game 2.