Game 1 between the Nuggets and Warriors will be remembered as Jordan Poole’s coming out party, if it’s remembered for anything at all.
In his playoff debut, Golden State’s third-most important player (sincere apologies to Klay Thompson) exploded for 30 points on just 13 shots. He nailed five threes and attacked the basket on speedy drives and cuts, elevating the sport’s most aesthetically pleasing system as it simultaneously propped him up. Denver had no answer for Poole, who, since March 1, averaged 24.7 points and 5.4 assists while making 41.9% of his 9.7 (!