Western Conference Recap: Nikola Jokic’s Triple-Double Leads Denver Nuggets Over Los Angeles Lakers

The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns took down the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors on the opening night of the NBA regular season

With the regular season beginning, the NBA scheduled two high-intensity matchups to start off the year.

Here’s a look:

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets

The reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets had no problem picking up right where they left off. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic thrived with a triple-double stat line of 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. Guard Jamal Murray continues to prove why he’s an All-Star caliber player, scoring 21 points on 61.5 percent shooting. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 20 points, while forward Michael Porter Jr. added 12 rebounds for the Nuggets.

LeBron James played an efficient game, scoring 21 points along with eight rebounds and five assists on 62.5 percent shooting. Anthony Davis struggled against Jokic, scoring 17 points. All of which came in the first half. Much of the Lakers’ depth had weak games, with D’Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Christian Wood scoring 11 or fewer points. However, Taurean Prince filled in well for the injured Jarred Vanderbilt, scoring 18 points on 75 percent shooting.

The Nuggets win a misleadingly close game over the Lakers 119-107.

Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors

No Bradley Beal, no problem for the Suns, who get the win over the Warriors 108-104. It was all love between Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant and his former team, who received a tribute video prior to the game. Durant struggled from the field, scoring 18 points on 31.8 percent shooting. Devin Booker led the way for Phoenix with 32 points, eight assists, and six rebounds on 61.9 percent shooting. Josh Okogie scored 17 points, while center Jusuf Nurkic grabbed 14 rebounds.

Without Draymond Green, Golden State struggled on the defensive end. Offensive efficiency was also an issue. Superstar Stephen Curry scored 27 points on 4-of-14 shooting from three-point range. The newly acquired Chris Paul shot 26.7 percent but contributed 9 assists. Stars Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins wrapped up the game with 15 or fewer points on 33.3 percent shooting.

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