Nuggets' Jokic dominates Lakers in historic first half in win

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Nuggets' Nikola Jokic dominates Lakers in historic first half in Game 1 win

By Sean Keane | Last updated 5/16/23

The Los Angeles Lakers had 13 rebounds in the first half. Nikola Jokic had 16 by himself.

Nikola Jokic out-rebounded the entire Lakers team in the first half pic.twitter.com/m9Yu1e2Ftt
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 17, 2023

After enduring a season of criticism and debate about his MVP credentials and playoff success, Jokic came out extremely strong in the first game of the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers.

He had double-digit rebounds in the first quarter, and hadd with a mind-boggling 19 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists before halftime.

nikola jokic is the only player in the last 25 seasons, regular season or playoffs, to record 19 points 16 rebounds and 7 assists in a half

(the only other player to have at last 15 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists in a half is kevin garnett) pic.twitter.com/HjzygODyQz
— Fastbreak Breakfast (@fastbreakbreak) May 17, 2023

Denver took an 18-point lead after two quarters thanks to the Joker's efforts. He also got to a triple-double before halfway through the third quarter.

Jokic gets his fourth triple-double in the last five playoff games.

Now sitting on 23 points, 17 rebounds and 11 dimes.

There's 6:05 left in the third quarter.
— Mike Singer (@msinger) May 17, 2023

The only way the Lakers could slow down Jokic? Drawing fouls. The game slowed down late as the Lakers defense tightened up, Nuggets fouls started piling up and Los Angeles came back from Denver's huge lead. Meanwhile, Jokic grabbed only five boards after halftime.

Jokic still finished with 34 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists. Not surprisingly, that's the first 34/21/14 line in a playoff game since 1965, if not all-time.

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