Nikola Jokić – A

Nikola Jokić has little reason to expect a generous whistle in the playoffs. He doesn’t spend much time at the line for a high-volume paint scorer. It can be frustrating to watch and presumably frustrating for him to endure. But that dynamic likely makes Jokić a better player once the playoffs start. Jokić scored 15 field goals in Game One against the Los Angeles Lakers, leading all players. Fourteen of those occurred in the paint. Somehow, he shot just two free throws, while the Nuggets shot only six as a team.

We might never move past this point in another timeline. In reality, it should be a point of pride for the team. The Nuggets don’t need calls to win and don’t play for calls when it’s winning time. Nor do they lose their cool when the calls don’t come. With a steady hand at the wheel, Jokić and company stayed the course. He scored over Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis, and, yes, LeBron James in the paint. That is a mismatch, after all. Like a mobile redwood, he plodded forward, slowly, yet inevitably, towards the rim. And when Jokić decided to change gears, his conditioning also shined.

Jokić is the best player in this series by leaps and bounds. He was the best player in Game One, and we saw nothing that indicates the Lakers can contain him going forward.

Jamal Murray – A-

Michael Malone fielded a question on Murray’s improved playmaking before the game. He referenced last year’s finals when Murray shined as a floor general. That proved to be prescient. Murray struggled from the field overall but posted ten assists to zero turnovers in Game One. He also shot 4/9 from deep. That’s quality production, 9/24 from the field notwithstanding. The Lakers threw multiple bodies and a lot of attention at Murray. For the most part, he handled it beautifully. Turnovers are essential for recapping that game and as we advance in this series. The Nuggets want to keep the Lakers out of transition, and the best way to do that, in terms of controllable factors, is to limit their turnovers. Murray and Jokić combined for zero. Denver’s starters combined for one. The Nuggets only turned it over four times in the opener.

Michael Porter Jr. – A-

Porter’s mental toughness was on full display. After starting 1/5 from the floor, he dug deep and began playing winning basketball. He got himself going by driving and cutting to the rim—even crashing the glass. His effort picked up first, and then the jumpers started to fall. Porter finished with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 combined steals and blocks, and 0 turnovers. Now, consider the context.

Porter missed practice on Friday when he testified in court on behalf of his brother, Coban Porter. Coban was sentenced to six years in prison for a fatal drunken driving crash. Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA for violating the league’s gambling policy earlier in the week. There are consequences to one’s actions, and neither of the brothers is a victim in their respective situations. But it’s undoubtedly a trying time for the family. After the win, Porter explained his mindset and expressed gratitude to his teammates.

Aaron Gordon – A-

LeBron James turned in an excellent first half. Aaron Gordon picked up two quick fouls, which disrupted Denver’s rotation and paved the way for James to make a significant impact. But Gordon would not commit another foul for the remainder of the game, and the Nuggets cruised while he was on the floor. James scored only eight points in the second half and turned it over four times.

On offense, Gordon provided production as a non-shooter. He missed his open looks from deep, and the Lakers dared him to take them, but he provided utility with the ball in his hands. Gordon is taking advantage of the space not as a jump shooter but as a passer. He can see the floor clearly out there and posted seven assists in the win. Three of those went to MPJ as the ‘Pay it Forward’ connection blossoms. AG also finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – A-

Pope’s job, obvious irony aside, is to make life hell for D’Angelo Russell. He did so on both ends in the opener. Pope was active as a screener and shooter. He worked hard along the perimeter to keep Russell involved one way or another. On the other end, the man the Nuggets call ‘First Team’ lived up to the nickname. Russell shot 6/20 from the floor, including 1/9 from three-point range. Meanwhile, Pope knocked down four of his ten three-point attempts.

Also of note: Pope was grabbing at that sprained right pinky throughout the game. We saw it at practice earlier in the week when he explained that it would likely bother him until the playoffs end. The swelling is hard to miss.

Peyton Watson – B–

Watson sprinted out of the gate in his first real playoff action. Denver needed buckets, and he obliged with eight quick points that changed the game’s tenor in the first quarter. He played like a newcomer from there—overzealous at times, his legs moving faster than his mind. But his initial scoring outburst can’t be overlooked. The Lakers stunned the Nuggets with an early haymaker, and Watson punched them out of the corner.

Christian Braun – C

Braun faded to the background of this one. He didn’t factor heavily into this matchup last go-round, either. Denver would welcome more production in Game Two.

Reggie Jackson – C

Jackson played under 10 minutes in the win, probably in the ideal range for his playing time. The Nuggets should only need him for short stints in this series. He missed some shots, but Denver survived his minutes.

DeAndre Jordan – B

AG’s foul trouble inspired Malone to open up his rotation. Jordan logged roughly eight minutes in the win and played well, scoring four points, grabbing two boards, and recording two combined steals and blocks.