Nikola Jokic Makes NBA History in Game 1 vs. Lakers
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic had a dominant start to the Western Conference Finals, finishing the first quarter of Game 1 with 8 PTS, 12 REB, and 5 AST. Since the NBA began tracking quarter-specific data in 1997, the most rebounds in the first quarter of a game was 12 by Tim Duncan, which Jokic tied.
Also tallying 5 assists in the first quarter, Jokic became the first player to tally at least 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a single playoff quarter since the NBA began tracking such data. It was a statistically unprecedented first quarter for Jokic, who did not slow down entering the second frame.
With 19 PTS, 16 REB, and 7 AST at the half, Jokic became the first player to post those numbers in a playoff half since the NBA began tracking such data in 1997. Jokic made all kinds of history in that first half vs. the Lakers, posting numbers that have never been seen in any half of a playoff game.
Breaking records all postseason long, Jokic has been showing why he is not only one of the best players in the world, but best playoff performers as well. Certain negative narratives about his ability in the postseason have existed in the past, but Jokic has silenced all of that this season, and did so again in the first half of Game 1.
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