Nikola Jokic made history in Game 1 of the NBA Finals by putting 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists on the board for yet another triple-double this playoff run.
By notching a triple-double in his NBA Finals debut, Jokic joined Jason Kidd as the only players in history to have ever achieved the three tens in a Finals debut.
Jokic has been averaging a triple-double for the entire postseason, with his overall numbers sitting at 29.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 10.5 assists after the conclusion of Game 1 tonight.
The ease with which the Nuggets played tonight almost got them in trouble in the fourth quarter, but they had established such a large lead that it was going to be an impossible task. Jokic only took 12 shots on the night, showing his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
Is Nikola Jokic Headed For A Finals MVP?
It’s just Game 1 and the Nuggets winning this is a good start but not a definite foreshadowing of who the champions will be. Crazier things have happened in the playoffs, most of them orchestrated by the Miami Heat. But this Nuggets team looks destined for a title given their continuity and s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 outmatching the Heat’s comfortably.
Jokic won two regular season MVPs and saw his contributions to the Nuggets heavily criticized toward the end of the season because people were upset that Joel Embiid hadn’t received the honor. Jokic is now going to likely take home a Finals MVP if Denver pulls this off, as we’re seeing a generational talent play at his highest level right now.
