Jokic leads the Nuggets back to the Western Conference Finals

By Jafar Gibbons.

After a 2-year absence, and injuries to its star players, the Denver Nuggets are heading back to the Western Conference Finals after knocking off Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns in game 6 of their semifinal matchup.

With last night’s victory, the Nuggets also became the first team to reach the conference finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. With a score of 125-100, it also marks the largest away victory of any road team in the Playoffs so far as well.

By halftime, this game was already decided. The Nuggets led by 30 points, 81-51, through some exciting perimeter defense and beautifully executed offense, engineered primarily by Nikola Jokic, who has been magical all season long.

Kevin Durant never got going and at the half, only had scored 2 of his eleven shots taken. Jokic on the other hand, finished the game with another triple-double, recording 32-10-12 to lead the Nuggets Playoff push. 81 points in the first half is the most points scored in a first half by a road team.

Devin Booker was silent on the night also, having only recorded 12 points on 4 of 13 shooting. Cam Payne was hands down the best Suns player on the night, having recorded 31 points, and hitting 7 of 9 3-pointers. Jamal Murray finished with 26 points for the Nuggets, while Caldwell-Pope had a lofty 21 points to lift the Nuggets past the Suns.

With this victory, the Nuggets will now await the winner of the Lakers/Warriors series, where game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday May 16 2023.