The NBA season tipped off Tuesday, and in some ways picked up where it left off—Nikola Jokić remains the game’s most dominant force, and Devin Booker can still score with ease. In other ways, it looked quite different—yes, that was Chris Paul initiating offense for the Warriors in the fourth quarter. Here are four takeaways from The Association’s opening night.
1. Nikola Jokić is still the baddest man in the NBA.
With 5:16 left in the fourth quarter between the Lakers and Nuggets, Los Angeles cut the lead to seven on a LeBron James layup. On its next four trips down the floor, Denver recorded a Jamal Murray three, a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope two, an Aaron Gordon dunk and a Michael Porter Jr. three. Less than two minutes later, the Nuggets had doubled their lead to 14. Jokić assisted on three of the shots, and all four possessions started with his holding the ball near the top of the key, with Murray working around an off-ball screen or handoff.
