Nikola Jokic is the best basketball player on the planet. But even the best sometimes have an off night. The issue for Jokic is that even his off nights still look pretty good, masking some of the troubles. But he's had a problem protecting the rock at times since his wrist 'injury' popped up, and it was on full display in the 120-113 win over the rival Los Angeles Lakers.
Jokic tied a season-high with nine turnovers. He was sloppy at times, and as a whole, the Nuggets committed 18 turnovers, leading to 26 Lakers points.
It didn't cost them this time, but it has in the past, and it nearly did again. The Nuggets had a decent lead in the fourth, only to see the Lakers charge back and make it a clutch game. This time, the outcome against a quality opponent was different, and the Nuggets picked up their first clutch win against a playoff-level team since Jan. 7th, against the Celtics.
Jokic still had a triple-double in three quarters
Turnovers aside, Jokic had one of his more efficient games, the kind we're accustomed to seeing him play. He scored 28 points on 10-15 shooting, and he made all eight of his free throw attempts.
And of course, he was dishing dimes left and right against the Lakers, the only team LeBron James doesn't have a winning record against in his career. Thanks to the Nuggets' recent run of successes in the postseason over the Lakers, Jokic and the Nuggets are 20-17 in 37 all-time career meetings against LeBron.
In total, the Joker had 13 assists and 12 rebounds on his way to another triple-double before the fourth quarter began. It was the 82nd such occurrence, a whole season's worth. It's his 23rd this season and the 187th of his career.
The Nuggets changed their strategy a bit with Jokic and Murray
Jamal Murray looked great again, connecting on five threes and scoring 28 points, turning the ball over just twice. He was off the floor at different times than Jokic, and it looked like it helped.
Head coach David Adelman suggested he was going to make a change to the rotation after the "horrendous" defensive sequence against the Timberwolves, with both stars off the floor. He stuck to his guns, and Murray was out late in the third and back to start the fourth with Jokic on the bench.
It's pairing we are likely to see more of moving forward, as coach Adelman adjusts his lineup as it works its way back to full health, and the Nuggets embark on the final push before the playoffs start.