This just might be the season Nikola Jokic finally breaks out for a title shot. The Denver Nuggets finished the season with the best record in the Western Conference. Even though they have maintained themselves among the top teams in the division, the Nuggets have never been able to make it to the end. However, things are slowly starting to turn around.
Denver is now facing the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semi-finals. The latter has had immense success in recent times, reaching the playoffs more consistently. Last year, the Suns finished at the top in the West. Unfortunately, they are down two games against the Nuggets. Following Game 2, Nikola Jokic and his daughter shared a wholesome moment from the bleachers. He signaled wearing a championship ring and she imitated the same.
damn i thought she was just born 😭 she already making ring gestures
— disrespectful i guess🫡 (@probablyatypo) May 2, 2023
She is sooo adorable! They showed his family after every home game when they were there because he waives to them and she looks for her Daddy and waives. It is precious.
— Brieanna D. Franze (@bnana_84) May 2, 2023
Nikola Jokic’s daughter points to her ring finger in the stands and Jokic returns the gesture 👀💍pic.twitter.com/qFX2bvEQzj
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 2, 2023
The princess has spoken
— 3 PEAT MVP INCOMING (@Its_Memito) May 2, 2023
Stuff like this makes me happy 😃
— Zeke’s Spoon (@SpoonOfZeke) May 2, 2023
Fans were left in awe of the moment. One person said, “Stuff like this makes me happy.” Another fan added on by saying, “Dam* i thought she was just born, she already making ring gestures.” Despite the confidence, Jokic will still need to put in the work against the Suns. Even though they have a lead against Phoenix, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker can easily take over with 5 games left. KD has a lot of playoff experience to know exactly how to redirect the Suns onto a winning path.
Nikola Jokic shuts down the Suns with an insane 39-point double-double
The Nuggets snatched Game 1 by 18 points from Phoenix. In a 125-107 victory, Nikola Jokic recorded 24 points and 19 rebounds. The star of the game was none other than Jamal Murray, who came out of injury midway last season and averaged 21.2 points per night. This season, he put up 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. He led the Nuggets with 34 points in Game 1 with an impressive 9 assists as well.
In Game 2, it was Jokic’s turn to shine through. He scored 39 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a low-scoring victory against the Suns. Phoenix did have a decent lead initially but failed to carry forward their momentum. The Suns only had 14 points in the final quarter. Chris Paul was taken out of the game due to a lingering groin injury. He could potentially miss the rest of the series as well.
Paul’s absence had a negative impact offensively as he is a great shooter of the ball and could have scored a few extra points to narrow the Nuggets’ lead. Booker scored 35 points and Durant had 24 points and 8 rebounds. The Suns’ main issue was a lack of defense and excessive fouling.
Their bench players could have helped avoid these issues. TJ Warren was not given game time at all while Torrey Craig, Landry Shamet, and Terrence Ross could have helped fill in the gaps.