Nikola Jokic isn’t one for hyperbole, but when the reigning MVP says something about the game of basketball, the world listens. After a thrilling Game 2 between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers, Jokic made a simple yet powerful statement:
“If you’re a basketball fan, I think this is the best basketball you can watch.”
And frankly, he’s absolutely right.
Through two games, the Nuggets-Clippers series has delivered everything fans could hope for in playoff basketball: drama, star power, elite shot-making, elite defending, clutch performances, and razor-thin margins.
Game 1 went into overtime, Game 2 was decided in the final possession, and both teams have shown why this might be the most tightly-contested matchup of the first round.
In Game 1, the Nuggets clawed their way back from a 15-point deficit behind the two-way brilliance of Russell Westbrook, whose impact went far beyond the box score. He caused chaos on defense, made clutch plays late, including a go-ahead three, and forced a game-ending turnover against his former team.
Nikola Jokic added 29 points and fell just one rebound short of a triple-double, while Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray chipped in big performances of their own.
But the Clippers responded in Game 2 with a vintage Kawhi Leonard performance. The two-time Finals MVP erupted for 39 points on an absurd 15-of-19 shooting, showcasing the cold, calculated precision that once terrorized playoff opponents.
His timely buckets and composure helped the Clippers edge the Nuggets 105-102 and steal home-court advantage as the series heads to Los Angeles.
What makes this series so special is the contrast in styles. The Nuggets rely on the generational brilliance of Jokic, whose playmaking from the center position is unrivaled, while surrounding him with athletic wings and smart cutters.
The Clippers, meanwhile, are wing-heavy with Leonard and Harden creating from the perimeter, Ivica Zubac patrolling the paint, and strong play from Norman Powell and others giving them added punch.
Each team has forced the other to adapt. Denver has controlled the glass and shot the three well, but their high turnover average has been costly.
The Clippers, on the other hand, have lived off Denver’s mistakes and executed late-game possessions with cold-blooded efficiency.
Game 2 ended in bizarre fashion, two airballs on the final possession by Christian Braun and Jokic, but the drama was pure playoff gold.
These are two teams with championship aspirations, elite talent, and an apparent hatred for losing. That desperation translates into compelling, edge-of-your-seat basketball, the kind fans will remember long after the first round ends.
Jokic knows great basketball when he sees it. He’s playing in it. And right now, Nuggets vs. Clippers is the best show the NBA has to offer. With the series tied 1-1 heading into Game 3 at the Intuit Dome, all signs point to more fireworks. If you love basketball, you’re not missing a second of this.
