The Denver Nuggets took on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in their first Western Conference Finals game since 2009.
While the Los Angeles Lakers got a concerted effort from their starting lineup to begin the game, Nikola Jokic scored six of Denver Nuggets’ first eight points. The Nuggets trailed 13-8 when the Lakers took their first timeout.
Both teams shot efficiently in the first quarter (Denver at 64% and Los Angeles at 59%) and a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Jamal Murray gave the Nuggets a two-point lead (38-36) entering the second.
As tempers flared for Denver with the disparity in foul calls, the Lakers began the second period on a 17-1 run, and got out to a 53-39 lead with 6:59 remaining.
With Jokic, Murray and Paul Millsap all sitting with three fouls, the Nuggets’ bench kept them in the game, as they trailed by just 11 (70-59) at the end of two.
Despite the foul trouble, Murray and Jokic were Denver’s leading scorers in the first half, as Murray scored 15 points and dished out 4 assists and Jokic totaled 11 points and 5 rebounds.
For Los Angeles, Anthony Davis and LeBron James were extraordinary in the first half, as they combined for 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Jokic quickly picked up his fourth foul to begin the third, which limited his aggressiveness throughout the period. After a pair of 3-pointers from Murray, the Lakers maintained their 11-point lead (78-67) as they took a timeout with 6:41 remaining.
Out of the timeout, Los Angeles gave the Nuggets a taste of their own medicine. The Lakers finished the quarter +13 and held a 24-point lead (103-79) entering the fourth.
Denver failed to make the contest competitive during the final period, and the Lakers pulverized the Nuggets 126-114 in Game 1.
AD led all scorers with 37 points while also tallying 10 rebounds and 4 assists. LeBron also had a double-double, with 15 points and 12 assists in the Lakers’ win.
Jokic and Murray both scored 21 points for the Nuggets, and Michael Porter Jr. recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Nuggets will need a bounce-back effort in Game two, which is set for Sunday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. (EST).