Nuggets: Nikola Jokic Wins Magic Johnson Trophy as Denver Eliminates Lakers

Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers - Game Four

(Photo : Harry How/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - Nikola Jokic (#15) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with the Most Valuable Player trophy following the game four and series victory against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

The Denver Nuggets are on the way to their first-ever NBA Finals appearance in franchise history after sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in a tight 113-111 victory.

Nikola Jokic again showed his brilliance, putting up another triple-double in the series clincher with 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists. He was supported by Jamal Murray, who contributed 25 points of his own.

Joker's series-clinching Game 4:

30 PTS, 14 REB, 13 AST, 3 BLK 🔒

The #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV begin on June 1, 8:30 PM ET on ABC. pic.twitter.com/Qqlma568sb
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2023

Nikola Jokic Averages Triple-Double Again

The Serbian center has been a triple-double machine this postseason, averaging double digits in three statistical categories for the second straight series. He joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only player to achieve this feat in 1967.

Nikola Jokic joins Wilt Chamberlain (1967) as the only players in NBA history to average a triple-double in back-to-back Playoff series. pic.twitter.com/urD6ZccP3q
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 23, 2023

Jokic previously averaged a triple-double in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Phoenix Suns.

Most importantly, the two-time MVP scored the most crucial basket of the game with less than a minute remaining, bulldozing his way for a layup to give Denver the lead for good.

With Jokic's impressive showing, he was named the second Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP trophy winner, an award introduced last year as part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary.

The Nuggets star gave tribute to his teammates and coaches upon receiving the honor, saying that they are the ones who deserve the trophy and the achievement is a collective effort.

Lakers star LeBron James was not surprised by Jokic's greatness, saying that he always knew it.

The Denver Nuggets also received the Oscar Robertson Trophy, awarded to the Western Conference champions.

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