Lakers News: Nikola Jokic Pays LA Ultimate Compliment Ahead Of Playoff Rematch

Eva Geitheim | Apr 18, 2024

Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

After defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 110-106 during their 7-8 play-in tournament clash on Tuesday, the 47-35 Los Angeles Lakers will officially face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. While making the playoffs is exciting, it's also scary in this case due to how good the 57-25 Nuggets are.

The Nuggets have had the Lakers' number the last few times the two teams have faced off. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers all three times the two teams squared off this season, and also crushed the Lakers 4-0 during the 2023 Western Conference Finals.

Jokic was dominant during that playoff series, recording a triple-double in three of the four games as he went on to win his first NBA championship while preventing the Lakers from advancing to the NBA Finals.

Despite his recent greatness against the Lakers, including the aforementioned sweep, Jokic called that series the "toughest" of their championship run. Which is a bit strange, given that the Phoenix Suns took two games off the Nuggets in a six-game Semifinals series matchup and the Miami Heat took one in the Finals.

“It was probably the toughest series that we had (last year)," Jokic told reporters Wednesday. "Yes we beat them 4-0, but they’re a really talented team, well built, they have a couple guys getting back. I have respect for them."

Nikola Jokic today at practice on LeBron James: "He's a monster. I really appreciate him. I really respect him." pic.twitter.com/a8NwjbXXer

— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) April 17, 2024

Jokic showed his respect for the Lakers, but it's more than likely that the Nuggets are a tougher team for Los Angeles than vice versa. While the Lakers have stars like LeBron James, D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Davis to keep up on paper, Jokic and the Nuggets have been consistently dominant. For their best shot, the Lakers will have to overcome their current woes against Denver.

The series begins Saturday, with the Nuggets hosting the first two games.