ANKARA
Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 132-126 to take Game 1 in the NBA Western Conference finals on Tuesday.
Nuggets’ All-Star center Jokic from Serbia posted a “triple-double” with 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists to display a stellar performance at Denver’s Ball Arena.
Jamal Murray, a Nuggets point guard, scored 31 points.
Another Nuggets guard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 21 points against his former team.
All starting players, including Jokic at Denver, scored double digits.
Lakers’ All-Star center Anthony Davis had 40 points and 10 rebounds to be the game’s top scorer.
LeBron James finished the game with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves racked up 23 points and made eight assists.
In the third quarter, Denver were on a 21-point lead but the Lakers fought to narrow the gap to three points twice in the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets took Game 1 after Jokic scored free throws near the end of the game.
The Lakers will stay in Denver for Game 2 that will be held at Ball Arena on Thursday.
The team, who bags four wins in the Conference finals, will go through to the NBA finals.
In the East finals, the Boston Celtics will face the Miami Heat in Game 1 in Boston on Wednesday.
