Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Flirts with double-double in loss

Jokic ended with 22 points (10-23 FG, 2-5 3Pt), nine rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals in 36 minutes during Tuesday's 122-105 loss to the Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals series.

The fact this was a bit of a disappointing game for Jokic says a lot about where expectations are for the likely MVP at the moment. Deandre Ayton managed to keep him relatively quiet on the offensive end, but Jokic turned up the heat on the other end of the floor, racking up five combined defensive stats. The Nuggets will try to secure a victory in Friday's Game 2, but for that to be the case, Jokic will probably need to take over more as a scorer.