It didn't take long for Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic to set an NBA Finals record.
In fact, he only needed one game.
The two-time league MVP dished out 14 assists in Game 1 against the Miami Heat last Thursday night in Denver. It's the highest single-game assist total by a center in NBA Finals history, surpassing the previous mark of 13 set by Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell in Game 2 of the 1969 NBA Finals versus the Los Angeles Lakers.
Russell's Celtics overcame an 0-2 deficit and won the series in Game 7 on the road.
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The 2023 NBA Finals is tied 1-1 after the Nuggets won Game 1 and the Heat battled back to take Game 2. Game 3 is Wednesday night in Miami.
Jokic is averaging 34 points, 10.5 rebounds and nine assists in the Finals. Unless his performance declines in a significant manner, he will be the overwhelming favorite to win Finals MVP if Denver prevails.
