When the pressure rises and the season hangs in the balance, some players shrink, while others rise to the moment. For the Denver Nuggets, their superstar tandem — Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray — have proven time and time again that they belong in the latter category. These two have built a reputation for showing up clutch when facing playoff elimination, solidifying their status as one of the NBA’s most dangerous duos under pressure.
The Jokić-Murray Connection: A Rare Chemistry
It’s not just the stats that make Denver’s dynamic duo special — it’s the way they elevate each other’s games. Jokić, the two-time MVP, operates with a rare combination of finesse, vision, and patience. Meanwhile, Murray is the explosive scorer with ice in his veins, never afraid to take the big shot. Together, they form a perfectly balanced attack that keeps defenses on edge — especially when everything is on the line.
When facing elimination, their chemistry reaches another level. Whether it’s a pick-and-roll, a handoff, or a no-look dime from Jokić to a cutting Murray, their connection feels telepathic. In moments when teams tighten up and execution falters, Denver’s duo finds a rhythm that’s almost impossible to disrupt.
The 2020 Bubble: Birth of a Clutch Legacy
You can’t talk about Denver’s playoff grit without revisiting the 2020 NBA bubble. The Nuggets made history by becoming the first team ever to come back from two 3-1 series deficits in the same postseason. Who led that historic run? You guessed it: Jokić and Murray.
In the first round against the Utah Jazz, Murray went supernova. He dropped back-to-back 50-point games and averaged 31.6 points in the series. Facing elimination three times, Murray rose to each occasion with fearless shot-making and unshakable composure. Jokić, on the other hand, was the steady anchor — recording a double-double in nearly every elimination game and delivering when it mattered most.
Then came the Clippers series. Once again down 3-1, the Nuggets stormed back. Jokić posted a triple-double in Game 7, while Murray poured in 40 points to send Kawhi and company home early. That run didn’t just keep the Nuggets alive — it announced their arrival as a legitimate threat.
2023 Playoffs: Clutch Runs Continue
Fast-forward to the 2023 playoffs, and the narrative didn’t change — the stakes got higher. Though the Nuggets didn’t face elimination as frequently thanks to a dominant postseason, the duo showed they were built for the moment. Murray had several explosive second-half performances, often catching fire in the third or fourth quarters when games tightened up. Jokić was his usual self — controlling the tempo, hitting absurd fadeaways, and outsmarting double teams with surgical passes.
The most telling moment? Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers. Up 3-0 but in hostile territory, the Nuggets faced a desperate LeBron-led squad. The Lakers threw everything at them. But Jokić responded with a clutch performance — 30 points, 14 rebounds, and a game-clinching bucket late in the fourth. Murray added 25 points of his own, helping seal the sweep. That game wasn’t technically an elimination for Denver, but the poise under pressure showed exactly who they are.
Built for the Bright Lights
There’s something to be said about players who don’t just tolerate pressure — they thrive in it. Jokić never looks rushed. Murray never looks scared. Together, they’ve built a postseason résumé filled with clutch moments, resilient comebacks, and unforgettable performances.
In a league full of talent, not every star rises when everything’s on the line. But Denver’s dynamic duo? They’ve been clutch when it counts. 🥶
