Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are preparing for a tough opponent heading into the opening round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. In a rematch of the Western Conference Finals, the Nuggets are hosting the Lakers starting Saturday night. Jokic admitted that the Nuggets have a tough series ahead of them.
In the process, the 2-time MVP dropped an unexpected line showing his respect to the Lakers team via Vic Lombardi. Jokic is not known for pompus statements during his NBA basketball career and his approach ahead of the series vs. the Lakers are another example of his unique personality.
“It’s probably the toughest series we had. There are no favorites. We are equal,” Jokic said Wednesday.
In that case, however, the Denver Nuggets have shown their superiority over the Lakers during the last two years, sweeping the Conference Finals series last season and getting four wins over them during the 2023/24 campaign.
Jokic outplayed the Lakers in every aspect but he and the Nuggets know that they need to stay vigilant against LeBron James and co. During the 2023 Conference Finals, Jokic averaged 7.8 points on 50.6 percent shooting (47.1 percent from three) with 14.5 rebounds and 11.8 assists per game in the series.
Nikola Jokic praises LeBron James before Playoffs series
While Jokic was praising Los Angeles team for its competitiveness against Denver, the Serbian phenom also spoke about LeBron James and the impact he has in the NBA.
The Lakers are coming off a big win over the Pelicans with James posting a near triple-double and hitting big shots in the clutch. Jokic did not hold back his praise for the future Hall of Famer.
“The guy’s amazing. He’s historic. The things he’s doing on the court it’s really, really… he’s winning the games in so many ways, not just scoring. He can score from any position basically. He’s a monster,” Jokic said, via Denver Sports.
Heading into the postseason, the Denver Nuggets hope to become the first team to repeat winning the NBA title since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors.
Lakers vs. Nuggets series schedule
(2) Denver vs. (7) L.A. Lakers
• Game 1: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Saturday, April 20 (8:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 2: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Monday, April 22 (10 ET, TNT)
• Game 3: Nuggets vs. Lakers; Thursday, April 25 (10 ET, TNT)
• Game 4: Nuggets vs. Lakers; Saturday, April 27 (8:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 5: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Monday, April 29 (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Nuggets vs. Lakers; Thursday, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Saturday, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
* = If necessary
