Nikola Jokic Sets Several NBA Records After Dazzling Finals Debut vs Miami Heat

• Nikola Jokic matched Jason Kidd’s feat with his triple-double in Game 1
• Jokic also matched feats accomplished by Michael Jordan and LeBron James
• He made history after dishing out 14 assists in his NBA Finals debut

Nikola Jokic’s NBA Finals debut was a resounding success.

The two-time MVP led the Denver Nuggets to a 104-93 win over the Miami Heat in Game 1 on Thursday night.

Apart from the victory, Jokic also picked up several Finals records to add to his accomplishments this season.

Sports Brief looks at how Jokic made history in the series opener against the Heat.

Jokic matches Kidd’s feat

Jokic became the second player in NBA history to record a triple-double in his Finals debut.

He accomplished the feat late in the fourth quarter of Game 1 when he pulled down his tenth rebound against the Heat.

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The Serbian big man finished the game with 27 points, 14 assists, and 10 boards.

He joined legendary point guard Jason Kidd on that exclusive list, per Sporting News.

Kidd posted a triple-double in his Finals debut against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002.

He recorded 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in the New Jersey Nets’ 99-94 loss to the Lakers in Game 1 of the 2002 NBA Finals.

Jokic matches LeBron’s feat

Jokic also became the second player in the last 25 years to score 10 points and dish out 10 assists in any half of an NBA Finals game, per Sports Illustrated.

He recorded 10 points and 10 assists in the first half of Game 1 against Miami. The only other player to accomplish that feat is LeBron James, who did it in his 42nd Finals game.

Jokic matches Jordan’s feat

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Jokic also became the second player in NBA history to lead both teams outright in points and assists in a Finals debut.

Jokic had the most points (27) and assists (14) in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals.

He joined the great Michael Jordan on that exclusive list.

Jordan had the most points (36) and assists (12) in Game 1 of the 1991 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jokic makes history with Murray

Jokic also made history with his teammate Jamal Murray, as they became the first duo since Magic Johnson and James Worthy in 1989 to each record 25 points and 10 assists in an NBA Finals game.

Murray had 26 points and 10 assists in the Game 1 win.

Jokic’s assists tally breaks records

Jokic broke another couple of records after he recorded 14 assists in Game 1 of the Finals.

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His 14 dimes were the most by a center in a Finals game in NBA history.

Jokic’s 14 assists also were the most in a Finals debut in league history.

Jokic’s efficiency results in record

Jokic became the first player in NBA Finals history to score at least 25 points in a triple-double performance on 12 or fewer field goal attempts.

He scored 27 points on 8 of 12 shooting in Game 1.

Miami struggles in Game 1

Sports Brief recently reported on the Nuggets’ win over the Heat in Game 1.

Max Strus and Caleb Martin struggled in the series opener, combining for just three points.

Strus failed to score in Game 1 as he shot 0 for 9 from the 3-point area.