Nikola 'NiKo' Kovač delivered an exceptional performance in the first round of the ESL Pro League Season 19 playoffs, steering his team G2 Esports to a decisive 2-0 win against BIG. NiKo, who was awarded MVP for his efforts.

During the match on Inferno, NiKo posted a solid rating of 6.9, contributing significantly to the team's 2-0 series score. However, it was on Ancient that he truly shone, notching a 9.8 rating and helping secure the victory with an impressive overall match rating of 8.4. His performance included a remarkable 50 kills against 32 deaths, adding a robust +18 kill-death differential and an average damage per round (ADR) of 112.

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This victory propels G2 into the second round of the playoffs, where they are set to face 3DMAX. A win in this upcoming match would secure G2 a spot in the quarterfinals, continuing their strong run in the tournament.

NiKo's standout performance has been a significant factor in G2's success and positions him as one of the top players to watch as the playoffs progress. His ability to deliver under pressure will be crucial as G2 aims for a spot in the quarterfinals and continues their pursuit of the ESL Pro League title and a share of the $750,000 prize pool.