Nikola Jokic Makes Shocking Comment About Los Angeles Lakers

Nikola Jokic met with the media on Wednesday.

Feb 22, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) speaks to the media / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday evening, the Denver Nuggets will host the Los Angeles Lakers in Colorado for Game 1 of the NBA playoffs.

Last season, the Nuggets played the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Despite several games being close, the Nuggets swept the Lakers (their only sweep of the 2023 NBA playoffs).

However, Nikola Jokic made an intriguing comment when he met with the media on Wednesday (h/t Vic Lombardi of AltitudeTV).

Jokic on last year against the Lakers: "It was probably the toughest series that we had."

Can I interest you in some Nikola Jokic?
In regards to the @Lakers, he says, “There are no favorites. We are equal.” @nuggets pic.twitter.com/d8rSXsYibU

— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) April 17, 2024

Before winning the 2023 NBA Championship, the Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves (in five games), Phoenix Suns (in six games), Lakers (in four games) and Miami Heat (in five games).

It's possible that the Lakers were the best team they faced, but considering how well the Nuggets played, Jokic's comment is extremely noteworthy.

“It was probably the toughest series that we had (last year)”

- Nikola Jokic on the Lakers

(Via @DNVR_Nuggets ) pic.twitter.com/mPsV96SJNv

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 17, 2024

Jokic finished the regular season with averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 58.3% from the field and 35.9% from the three-point range in 79 games.

The Nuggets are the second seed in the Western Conference and had a 57-25 record.

They have gone 6-4 over their last ten games and are an excellent 33-8 in 41 games at home.

Mar 2, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is greeted / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

As for the Lakers, they are the seventh seed after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in tournament.

They finished the regular season with a 47-35 record and are also in the middle of a three-game winning streak.

The franchise won the 2020 NBA Championship over the Miami Heat.