Nikola Jokic’s triple-double helped the Denver Nuggets beat Anthony Davis and the LA Lakers 119–107 on the first night of the 2023 NBA season.

Denver had a great start to the season and was in charge for most of their home opener against the team they would play in the 2023 conference playoffs. Five players all scored ten or more points, taking turns doing so against the Lakers’ weak defense.

After the first quarter, the Nuggets were ahead by 14 points. For most of the game, the Lakers were in the hunt. At the end of the first and third quarters, they cut the Nuggets’ lead to just ten points. LA closed the gap to three points early in the fourth. The Nuggets, on the other hand, were too strong and efficient on both ends for LeBron James and his team.

Only in the first half did Anthony Davis score 17 points. But he couldn’t do it in the last two quarters and scored nothing. In all, he made 6 of 17 shots from the floor. Nikola Jokic was much better than AD, who had eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. It was a repeat of the 2023 conference playoffs.

The big man from Serbia dominated, scoring 29 points, grabbing 13 boards, and passing the ball 11 times. He shot 54.5%, making 3 of 5 shots from the floor. Davis did not show up for the second half, and the Lakers fans did not hold back.