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After raising their 2022-23 NBA Championship banner and receiving their championship rings, the Denver Nuggets did something they had never done before as a franchise on Tuesday night: take the […]
After raising their 2022-23 NBA Championship banner and receiving their championship rings, the Denver Nuggets did something they had never done before as a franchise on Tuesday night: take the court as NBA champions.
On a fresh new court at Ball Arena in front of a sold-out crowd, the Nuggets picked up where they left in June: as the epicenter of the NBA. The Nuggets had the honors of hosting the NBA’s opening game against both a superstar and a franchise that are no strangers to championships themselves: LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Of course, the Nuggets and Lakers last met in the Western Conference Finals in May, with Denver coming out on top 4-0 for their first sweep in franchise history to reach their first NBA Finals in, you guessed it, franchise history.
I joke, but it’s really just a testament of how special these times are for the Denver Nuggets.
But there was a game to play on Tuesday night as well, and the Nuggets did not shy away from the occasion.
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined to score the Nuggets first 9 points, and Denver jumped out to a 34-20 lead after the first quarter.
By halftime, Jokic had 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists, as the Nuggets led the Lakers 63-54.
Los Angeles didn’t go down without a fight though. LeBron James hit a basket off a Gabe Vincent assist to cut the score to 87-82 early in the fourth quarter, and Christian Wood dunked on the next possession to put the Lakers down just three points, the narrowest margin of the game since the first quarter.
But then the Nuggets regained control of the game. Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray found their shots, Christian Braun got involved, and then somehow, the Lakers defense left Jokic unaccounted for as the Serbian big man drained a 26-foot three-pointer to give the Nuggets a 97-90 lead with 8:17 left to play.
The Nuggets pushed their lead to 12 before engaging in a bit of back-and-forth play, ultimately winning 119-107 to begin their title defense 1-0.
Nikola Jokic started his season with a signature triple double: 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, with 9 assists coming in the second half.
Jamal Murray was the Robin to Jokic’s Batman, as per usual, with 21 points on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting, along with 6 assists and 2 rebounds.
The Nuggets showed why they won the NBA Championship last season: the synergy of their starting five is simply off the charts. Aaron Gordon, a poster child for the Nuggets unselfish style of play, was over halfway to a triple double himself: tallying 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Denver wasn’t infallible of course, allowing the Lakers to make some successful defensive adjustments in the third quarter. Michael Porter Jr. was the only Nuggets starter to shoot under 50%: connecting on 5-of-13 field goals including 2-of-9 three-pointers. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, despite a sweet 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, committed five turnovers.
For the Lakers, LeBron James led the charge with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists and a team-high +7 court rating. Anthony Davis added 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
The Nuggets begin their 2023-24 campaign 1-0 with a win over the Lakers at Ball Arena. Denver travels to play the Grizzlies on Friday in Memphis and Thunder in Oklahoma City on Sunday before returning for a Monday night home matchup with the Utah Jazz.
Header Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sport
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