The Nuggets knocked off the Lakers by a final score of 119-107 on Opening Night, sparked by a 29-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist performance from reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic.

Afterward, Coach Michael Malone was in some kind of mood as he decided to share a surprising pun about Jokic that only diehard NBA fans will recognize.

Jokic humbled LeBron James, tying Magic Johnson with a feat that few expected he would ever match in the National Basketball Association. Malone also delivered a hyped message to Nuggets fans right after the team's rings celebration.

When the dust settled, Denver had recaptured the team's NBA Finals magic of last year with a win over their Western Conference Finals opponents.

Malone dropped a pun after the game that few saw coming, especially in light of Jokic's favorite off-season, and at times in-season, hobby with the Nuggets; namely, raising and managing racehorses.

“All Jokic heard from that quote is ‘horse,'” one fan said in response to the report on Malone's comment.

The Nuggets were led by the man known as ‘KCP,' Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Jamal Murray with over 20 points each. Caldwell-Pope had 20 while Murray had 21 and six assists.

Denver kept the Lakers' new supporting cast featuring Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, and Christian Wood all below 10 points each on the night. Last year's bench star Rui Hachimura had just six points and three rebounds in 15 minutes of action to tip off a season during which many fans thought he could become a starter for head coach Darvin Ham's team.

The Nuggets are set to take on the Grizzlies on the road this Friday, their second game of the season.