TOP seed Denver Nuggets drew first blood in the Western Conference Finals over the Los Angeles Lakers, 132-126, as the former bubble protagonists cross paths again in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
It was business as usual for two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic with a staple triple-double performance of 33 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists to lead five Nuggets in double figures.
READ: Nuggets hold off Lakers in Game One
Hot shooting nights for L.A.'s usual scorers were not enough to tow the Lakers back into contention even after a spirited comeback bid late in the final frame.
Big double-double efforts from Anthony Davis with a game-high 40 points and 10 boards on top of LeBron James' 26 markers and 13 rebounds paced the tough defeat.
See how fans reacted to a topnotch opening face-off between the Nuggets and the Lakers here:
Don't mess with the Joker
Mile High City rising
Lake Show woes
L.A. still the favorites?
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