The Denver Nuggets did not disappoint in their first-ever game in the NBA Finals, as they held off visitors Miami Heat, 104-93, in Game 1 at the Ball Arena in Denver.
The Heat came up with a furious rally at the end, cutting the lead to a single digit with two minutes left, but the Nuggets built up enough cushion to keep the victory.
By grabbing his 10th rebound of the night with 1:44 left on the clock, two-time MVP Nikola Jokic notched his 9th triple-double of the playoffs, extending the record for most in a single postseason.
Nikola Jokic notched a triple-double in his NBA Finals debut 😤 pic.twitter.com/egAGZO8Lb5
— ESPN (@espn) June 2, 2023
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Nikola Jokic Brilliant in NBA Finals Debut
Jokic became the second player in history to put up double digits in three statistical categories in their Finals debut after Jason Kidd did the same in 2002.
Nikola Jokic becomes the 2nd player to record a triple-double in their Finals debut, joining Jason Kidd.
Kidd: 23 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST on 6/5/2002
Jokic: 27 PTS, 14 AST, 10 REB in Game 1 pic.twitter.com/ZqqsfmKtoQ— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 2, 2023
The Serbian's 14 dimes are also the most-ever for a Finals debut.
The unicorn center is not the only Nugget to join the history books after the series opener. Shooting guard Jamal Murray also joined his teammate in an exclusive club of players who put up 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 10+ assists in their first Finals game.
Jokic and Murray joined Michael Jordan in 1991 and Russell Westbrook in 2012 as the only players to do this feat.
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are 2 of 4 players in NBA history to record 25+ PTS, 5+ REB, and 10+ AST in a Finals debut, joining:
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 2, 2023
Michael Jordan: 36 PTS, 8 REB, 12 AST on 06/02/1991
Russell Westbrook: 27 PTS, 8 REB, 11 AST on 06/12/2012 pic.twitter.com/GiUeLHiQlM
The 6-foot-4 Canadian has been an elite sidekick to Jokic, averaging 27.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.5 rebounds in 16 games in the 2023 playoffs. Murray contributed 26 points, 6 boards, and 10 dimes for Denver tonight.
Game 2 will be held on Sunday in the same building in Denver.
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