Nikola Jokic’s NBA Finals Debut Saw Him Hit Milestone Last Reached by LeBron James

The Nuggets star dazzled to start his first Finals game.

Nikola Jokić added another accolade to his résumé on Monday after turning in a first half in the Nuggets’ 103–94 Game 1 win over the Heat that placed him among rare company in the annals of NBA Finals history.

Appearing in his first-ever NBA Finals game, the Nuggets star recorded 10 points on 3-of-3 shooting and 10 assists to go with three rebounds and zero turnovers. Jokić’s first-half double-double placed him next to LeBron James as the only two players in the last 25 years to record 10 points and 10 assists in any half of an NBA Finals game. 

Interestingly, Jokić achieved the feat in his Finals debut, while James, who wrapped up Year 20 in a conference finals lost to Denver, logged his 10-and-10 in his 42nd Finals game back in 2017. The then-Cavaliers forward recorded 18 points, 10 assists and six rebounds and finished with a 29/14/11 triple-double in a Game 2 loss to the Warriors. 

Nikola Jokic joins LeBron James as the only players in the last 25 years with 10 points & 10 assists in any half of an NBA Finals game.

James did it in his 42nd Finals game.

Jokic did it in his 1st. pic.twitter.com/VZKy7uFQps

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 2, 2023

Jokić and the Nuggets went into halftime up big against the Heat, with a 59–42 lead, on a night where the franchise hosted its first-ever NBA finals game.

Considering the postseason Jokić has had, the Serbian big man’s strong start could be a sign that he’s poised to add more triple-doubles before the postseason ends. And that’s exactly what came to pass by the end of Monday’s matchup.

Jokić finished Denver’s victory with a game-high 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds in 40 mins for his ninth triple-double of the postseason. In addition to keeping on par with James, Jokić’s well-rounded stat line also placed him next to legendary guard Jason Kidd (2002) as the only players to record a triple-double in their Finals debut.