Denver Nuggets duo Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray wrote themselves into the NBA history books as Michael Malone's side took a 2-1 series lead over the Miami Heat in the 2023 Finals.
The Western Conference champions triumphed 104-93 at Kaseya Center in Florida, where Jokic posted a staggering 32 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the series.
Jokic had already become just the second NBA Finals debutant to open with a triple-double in Game 1, while Murray chipped in with his own terrific trident, recording 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
In doing so, Jokic and Murray made history as the first teammates to both record triple-doubles in an NBA Finals match, as Malone's side kept the Heat quiet in the second half to edge ahead in the series.
It was not for the want of trying for Heat duo Bam Adebayo (22 points, 17 rebounds) or Jimmy Butler (28 points), but Aaron Gordon also chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who did not trail at all in the third or fourth quarters.
Erik Spoelstra's side will have a chance to make amends in front of the home crowd when they host the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Finals on Friday night.
Ben Knapton
