The Golden State Warriors just eliminated the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and his Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs in an entertaining series. We saw the birth of GSW’s new death lineup that features Steph Curry, Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green together while also seeing the extent to which Jokic can carry this Nuggets’ team alone.
After a slow start to the series, Jokic established himself as the undisputed best player in the series, putting up some ridiculous numbers. He has averaged 31.0 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in the series and had a near 30-20 statline in the elimination game that the Warriors won 102-98 at home.
Fans were quick to go on Twitter and share their thoughts about the series, with a whole lot of love being given to Nikola Jokic for his brave performances, even after picking up a hamstring injury in the game.
Nikola Jokic went out swinging.
30 PTS
19 REB
8 AST
12-18 FG pic.twitter.com/3o7x9AJXFI
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 28, 2022
Nikola Jokic deserves 0 slander for losing to the warriors with all due respect
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) April 28, 2022
Also I don’t understand how people can watch the Warriors defend Jokic the way they are and not conclude they are watching one of the greatest carry jobs of all-time and give Jokic all the credit he deserves
— LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) April 28, 2022
I'm glad we can all see that Jokic is the Best Player in this series.
— Swipa (@SwipaCam) April 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/NekoBasketball_/status/1519534631317655552
Jokic looking at Aaron Gordon tonight pic.twitter.com/TshNpo72tA
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 28, 2022
Jokic is doing everything he can, all on a bad hammy. I’m changing my MVP vote back to him.
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) April 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/KGsGOAT/status/1519510829732970496
Steph Curry did it again, he beat an injured team with a far superior supporting cast. Impressive.
— Barry (@BarryOnHere) April 28, 2022
Steph Curry was AMAZING in that 4th Quarter. He closed out the hardest game of the series we needed that💯
Respect Boogie & Jokic‼️
Joker played like a MVP tonight, much respect✌🏾
— GrandMaster Gifted🏀🎮 (@GiftedHoops_) April 28, 2022
Not many players can carry this team to 48 wins and take one game from the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/7AGCKdnZQs
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 28, 2022
The Warriors are the first team to qualify for the second round from the Western Conference. Their matchup will depend on the result of the series between the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Grizz eliminated the Warriors from playoff contention in the play-in last season, so there is one potential rivalry matchup there.
Minnesota traded Andrew Wiggins to Golden State for D’Angelo Russell, so both teams playing each other in the second round would be poetic. Wiggins going back to Minnesota but on the other side will be interesting to see as well.
It looks like the Warriors could be unstoppable in the West after the ease with which they have dispatched Denver. While certain defenses like that of the Dallas Mavericks or the Phoenix Suns would be a little more challenging for GSW to gameplan against, this team with their current personnel look like one of the hardest teams to beat in a seven-game series.
