Editorial

Nikola Jokic First Player In NBA History To Pull Off 8/12/5/2 Quarter In Playoffs Game

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Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass the ball against Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter in game one of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena on May 16, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Andrew Powell Sports and Entertainment Blogger
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What a dominant quarter, wow.

The Denver Nuggets hosted the Los Angeles Lakers in Tuesday night’s Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, and Denver’s superstar big-man Nikola Jokic was absolutely incredible. In fact, he was so incredible that he didn’t just set one historical feat, he set two. But the biggest has to be what no player has ever done before in the entire history of the NBA.

Jokic is the first player ever to record a stat line of eight points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in a single NBA Playoffs quarter, according to ClutchPoints.

To go along with those absolute boss numbers, Jokic is also the first player in 25 years to put up 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in any quarter overall (whether regular season or playoffs), according to ESPN Stats and Information.

Okay, so here are my two takeaways from Game 1:

1. As you see from the stats, Nikola Jokic was … well … Nikola Jokic. It’s just absolutely amazing what that man can do, how dominant he can play, how he can single-handedly power his team to a victory, how he literally can do stuff that nobody else can do. I have a lot of fun watching him, and it was no different Tuesday night.

2. Speaking of fun to watch … holy crap, I have to give kudos to the Los Angeles Lakers. They were getting steamrolled the entire night, and then shot back in the fourth quarter and nearly pulled off a massive comeback, and wow, was it entertaining. I don’t know about you guys, but it got me pretty hyped for the rest of the series. (RELATED: San Antonio Spurs Shockingly Land No. 1 Pick In NBA Draft Lottery, Expected To Select Victor Wembanyama)

Nikola Jokic, Lakers comebacks, oh yes … this series is gonna be fun.