Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, and the Denver Nuggets advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in team history Monday night, sweeping the Western Conference finals with a 113-111 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jokic earned his eighth triple-double of the playoffs by the third quarter, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s 1967 NBA record for triple-doubles in a single postseason. The Serbian big man also led the Nuggets’ tenacious defensive effort despite picking up his fifth foul midway through the fourth quarter – and when Denver needed a big basket, Jokic delivered that as well.
In the post-game conference, Jokic was asked if he’s been in touch with compatriot Novak Djokovic. Both are the biggest Serbian stars in sports and are headed for a big June. Novak Djokovic is aiming to become the outright leader in all-time Grand Slams and will play in the French Open next month, while Jokic will rest for a week or so before taking in his first NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics or the Miami Heat.