It hasn’t been smooth sailing for the Denver Nuggets to open the 2024-25 season. They have dealt with a handful of injuries and have had several looming problems. Despite that, they have settled into the five seed with a 14-10 record. Although they have shown issues, the Nuggets know they can rely on their star duo in clutch moments. Monday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings showed why.
The Denver Nuggets Have a Dominant Clutch Duo
A Dominating Clutch Display
Through the first quarter of the season, the Nuggets have shown inconsistency with the effort they show in games. However, when the games come down to the wire, the Nuggets show an increase in effort. The duo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić have always demonstrated their clutch genes when the Nuggets need it most. Against the Kings, their clutch moments were on full display. With less than four minutes in the game, the Nuggets trailed 119-109. Murray and Jokić took control for the Nuggets, running their two-man pick-and-roll on offense. The duo combined for 16 points in that time, shooting 5/5 from the field and 4/4 from the free-throw line.
After leading by 23 points in the second quarter, the Nuggets blew their lead and found themselves trailing. Although they couldn’t maintain their large lead, they continued to fight until the final buzzer. They could have folded after blowing a large lead, but fought back and won on a game-winning jumper by Murray.
Murray, who scored 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, turned a poor shooting game into being the hero for the Nuggets. Jokić, who also struggled in the game, scored seven of his 20 points in the final frame. The duo combined for a poor 12/34 through the first three quarters, only to go 7/11 in the fourth quarter. As long as the Nuggets have their star duo on the court, there’s a chance they can come back and win.
An Unstoppable Action
Three-time MVP winner Jokić has shown his clutch abilities since the 2019-20 season. He has finished in the top 20 in total clutch points each season in all but one of these seasons he has ranked within the top five. Jokić has averaged at least 3.4 points per game in the clutch each season. Murray is not far behind, averaging at least 2.4 points per game in the clutch in every season he has played in since 2019-20. Their high scoring in the clutch has been maintained over the last few seasons due to their elite two-man game.
It starts with the pick-and-roll and opens countless options, making defending it nearly impossible. It can set up Murray with an open jumper or Jokić with an open roll to the hoop with just the action alone. If another defender is forced to help off their assignment, it can open up three-point shots for Michael Porter Jr., Christian Braun, or Aaron Gordon. All three players are shooting 38.5% or higher on the season. The action also allows for open cutting lanes for Gordon and Braun, who excel in that role.
A simple two-man pick-and-roll wreaks havoc and has little to no counters. The Nuggets often use this action in clutch situations, and it was a large part of their NBA Finals victory in 2023. Starting the season, the Nuggets have struggled using this action. Murray has started the season slowly, causing concerns. If he can maintain his recent play, it will return to the dominant play call it has proven to be.
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