"Our only hope for beating the Nuggets" - Lakers fans react to self-proclaimed Nikola Jokic stopper's troll post
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets went on the road to take on the LA Lakers on Saturday night. Denver has had L.A.'s number for several seasons now, winning eight of nine matchups versus the Lakers entering Saturday's matchup.
Jokic has been especially dominant during this stretch, averaging 28.8 points, 14.6 rebounds and 9.9 assists, leading the Nuggets to frequent wins versus one of their biggest Western Conference rivals. Early into Saturday night's game, Jokic's dominant play continued and Denver looked to be on their way to yet another win versus the Lakers.
During the game, former Lakers center Dwight Howard trolled his former team with a post on X as L.A. faced a deficit.
Howard, who gave Nikola Jokic some trouble during L.A.'s Western Conference Finals win over Denver during their title run in 2020, recently spoke with Kevin Garnett about his keys to "stopping" Jokic. He made headlines after boldly claiming that he could "slow down" the three-time MVP.
NBA fans reacted to Howard's post trolling his former team. Some fans defended Howard's comment.
"Crazy thing is bro really is our only hope for beating the Nuggets I don't care what y'all say," one fan commented on Howard's post.
"(Anthony Davis) needs some help," another fan added. "Come save him please."
"To be honest I don't understand why you can't get a vet minimum," a third fan commented.
Other fans questioned Howard's claim with receipts of the last time he matched up against Nikola Jokic.
"(38 points and 18 rebounds) last time you played (Jokic)," one fan pointed out.
"Jokic would destroy him it's been five years," another fan added.
Nikola Jokic posts near-triple-double versus Lakers
Nikola Jokic continued his dominance versus the Lakers in Saturday night's matchup. The Nuggets' superstar scored a game-high 34 points on 12-of-20 shooting, connecting on three of his seven 3-point attempts. He also grabbed 13 rebounds and assisted on eight baskets, limiting Anthony Davis to just 14 points on 6-of-19 shooting on the opposite end of the floor.
Denver was propelled to a 127-102 win by Jokic's double-double effort as the franchise continued its winning ways versus L.A. The Nuggets advanced to 9-6 on the new year, bouncing back after a 123-120 loss versus the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
Through 12 games this season, Nikola Jokic is averaging 30.3 points, a league-leading 13.9 rebounds and 11.3 assists, shooting 56.8% from the field and 56.3% from 3-point range. His triple-double averages make him the odds-on favorite to win the 2024-25 MVP award.