Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets’ two-time MVP and reigning NBA champion, has established himself as one of the most dominant forces in modern basketball. Yet, for all his brilliance, a recurring theme seems to follow him deep into the postseason: Game 7s. As reliable as his silky passes and unselfish playmaking, the nail-biting pressure of a winner-takes-all Game 7 appears to be an unavoidable chapter in the story of Jokić’s playoff career.
Since entering the NBA in 2015, Jokić has been central to a Nuggets team that often fights tooth and nail in the Western Conference. Unlike dominant dynasties that steamroll through opponents, Denver under Jokić tends to grind out victories, and that journey frequently leads to seven-game series. Whether it’s due to stiff competition, inconsistent performances from role players, or simply the cruel unpredictability of playoff basketball, Jokić often finds himself in the crucible of a Game 7.
Some players shy away from that kind of pressure. Jokić, to his credit, seems to thrive in it. In fact, his performances in Game 7s have been nothing short of spectacular. He consistently puts up elite numbers — triple-doubles, high shooting percentages, and poised leadership. Yet, the fact that he must continually be the savior in these do-or-die moments points to a larger concern. Why are the Nuggets always pushed to the brink?
Part of the answer lies in the composition of the team. Jokić is the engine, the brain, and often the heart of the Nuggets’ offense. But when opposing defenses clamp down in the playoffs, Denver’s reliance on Jokić to create everything becomes glaring. Jamal Murray, while capable of big games, has struggled with injuries and inconsistency. The supporting cast has talent, but rarely the firepower to dominate a series. So the burden falls on Jokić — game after game, series after series — until inevitably, it reaches a Game 7.
This was the case in 2020 during the Nuggets’ historic run in the NBA bubble, where they overcame 3–1 deficits in back-to-back series against Utah and the Clippers, both ending in Game 7s. Jokić was brilliant, but the path was grueling. In 2023, Denver’s championship run required fewer Game 7s, but even then, key games against Phoenix and the Lakers teetered on the edge of chaos. And now, in 2025, here we are again. Game 7 looms, and Jokić — once again — must carry his team across the finish line.
It’s a testament to his greatness that fans expect Jokić to deliver. But for the Nuggets to truly become a dynasty, they must find ways to ease that burden. Because if Jokić can’t escape Game 7s, he may eventually run into one that even he can’t conquer.
