Nikola Jokic's Statement Before Playoff Series vs. Lakers/Pelicans

The Denver Nuggets are awaiting their first round opponent

Apr 9, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks on from the / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets have finished the 2023-24 regular season as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference. Denver will face the Los Angeles Lakers or New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the playoffs, so they cannot yet prepare for one single opponent. Los Angeles and New Orleans will face off in the 7th vs. 8th seed play-in tournament game, and the winner will play Denver.

Speaking on the broadcast following Denver's season finale victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, Nikola Jokic expressed a level of excitement for some time off in between now and the opening round, saying, "I'm excited to head home. We just opened a pool yesterday or two days ago, so I'm excited to spend a couple days with my daughter at the pool. For me, that's exciting right now."

On having some rest time, Jokic said, "It's gonna help. Just to heal up, maybe get - you want to play again just to get joy back. The Playoffs is coming, so the fun part starts."

The Nuggets are hoping to repeat as champions, and certainly feel they have what it takes to do so. With Jokic leading the way, Denver will be a tough out for anybody. Favored many places to win it all again, the Nuggets are trying to become back-to-back champions after their first title last year.

Related Articles

Nikola Jokic Could Pass LeBron James on Historic List Next Season

Former Nuggets Player Unleashes Controversial LeBron James Take

Milwaukee Bucks Champion Gets Honest About Nikola Jokic