Nikola Jokic's dominant triple-double leads Nuggets over Lakers - ESPN

DENVER — Nikola Jokic claimed he did not have a strategy in mind to combat Anthony Davis.

But it did not take long in Tuesday night's Game 1 for the Los Angeles Lakers to see Jokic's blueprint. The Denver Nuggets' superstar came out extremely aggressive, reintroducing himself to LeBron James and Davis on the Western Conference finals stage, but this time as a two-time MVP at the top of his game.

Jokic compiled his third straight triple-double this postseason by the third quarter, and finished with 34 points, 21 rebounds, 14 assists and two blocks to help the Nuggets take a 132-126 win at Ball Arena.

«He makes it [look] really simple,» Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon said of Jokic taking whatever a defense gives him. "[But also] he makes it look miraculous at the same time. It's like ridiculous."

Jokic was a force, especially on the glass, where he had six offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone. The Lakers had a total of six rebounds in the quarter as a team. By halftime, Jokic outrebounded the entire Lakers team 16-13.

On offense, he looked as aggressive as ever, putting the ball on the floor and driving hard and quick on Davis and any other Lakers defender. He even posted Davis, spun to his left and drove baseline for a dunk on the Lakers big man.

«I thought when he felt there was one-on-one coverage, facing up and getting to the basket, [Jokic used] that understated athleticism to finish in traffic. That was great to see,» Denver coach Michael Malone said.

«He's going to continue to have to do that at a high level. But his rebounding early on, I think there was a point in this game we were up rebounding, I think, 22-3. So we were just kind of imposing our will on the glass.»

By the end of the third quarter, Jokic