Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to drawing a foul from Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 132-126 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets scores over Lonnie Walker IV (4) of the Los Angeles Lakers as the seconds tick off the clock during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shrugs off Rui Hachimura (28) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- LeBron James (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers wipes his brow during the fourth quarter of the Denver Nuggets’ 132-126 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets finishes over LeBron James (6) and Rui Hachimura (28) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers and Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets tip off during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- LeBron James (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers prepares for the Denver Nuggets before the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets prepares for the Los Angeles Lakers before the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Denver Nuggets drummers work during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nuggets fan Deric Faucette, left, sits next to his friend and Lakers fan Griffen Peterson for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)
- Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers blocks Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Austin Reaves (15) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) and Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets defend Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets works against Anthony Davis (3) and LeBron James (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets runs in transition as D'Angelo Russell (1) of the Los Angeles Lakers defends during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Rui Hachimura (28) of the Los Angeles Lakers gets mobbed by Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets and Jeff Green (32) during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets makes a basket against Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers during 1st game of Western Conference Final at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Jeff Green (32) of the Denver Nuggets locks up LeBron James (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets grabs a loose ball after Jarred Vanderbilt (2) of the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the floor, while handling during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets drives on Dennis Schroder (17) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Dennis Schroder (17) speaks to Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers blocks Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- LeBron James (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets works Dennis Schroder (17) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Rui Hachimura (28) of the Los Angeles Lakers fouls Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during 1st game of Western Conference Final at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets puts Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers on a poster during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Dennis Schroder (17) of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a foul during the 1st game of Western Conference Finals against Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets dunks against Los Angles Lakers defense during the 1st game of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of the Nuggets’ 132-126 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- DENVER, CO - MAY 16 : Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets dunks in the 4th quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets and fans react to Jokic's 3 point buzzer-beater to the end the 3rd quarter over Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1st game of Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets drives against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 132-126 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets after drawing a foul while shooting over him during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 132-126 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- LeBron James (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives between Jamal Murray (27) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 132-126 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to being called for fouling Austin Reaves (15) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 132-126 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) after throwing an alley oop to Aaron Gordon (50) during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 132-126 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets ties up with Anthony Davis (3) and Rui Hachimura (28) of the Los Angeles Lakers as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) enters the mix leading to an outlet pass to Jamal Murray (27), who would toss an alley oop to Aaron Gordon (50) during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 132-126 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to fouling Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 132-126 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets leads Aaron Gordon (50), Jamal Murray (27) and Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets towards the bench after drawing a foul from. Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 132-126 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
- Denver Nuggets fans celebrate victory in the 1st game of the Western Conference Finals against Lakers at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Brody Bradley, 21, left, and Dylan Silva, 21, celebrate the Denver Nuggets victory over the Los Angeles Lakers after the 1st game of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- A Lakers fan holds their head during the 4th quarter of the 1st game of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
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Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to drawing a foul from Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 132-126 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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By AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Hyoung Chang | hchang@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Denver Nuggets held off a late rally by the Los Angeles Lakers to win Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Finals 132-126 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday night, May 16, 2023.
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