Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27), center Nikola Jokic (15), and guard Christian Braun (0) in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Nuggets trio achieve feat not reached in 57 years

By Sai Mohan | Last updated May 16, 2025 9:24 AM ET

The Denver Nuggets blew consecutive fourth-quarter leads in Games 4 and 5 to fall in a 3-2 hole in their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Much of that was due to their overdependence on Nikola Jokic and "the others" not stepping up.

With their season on the line, Denver rallied as a team and ensured they didn't let Jokic down for a third consecutive game in Thursday's 119-107 Game 6 win. As many as five Nuggets scored in double digits and shone in key moments, but three stood above all.

Jokic, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun combined for 77 points, 33 rebounds and 20 assists on 55% shooting, becoming the first trio since the Celtics' John Havlicek, Sam Jones and Bill Russell in 1966 to each record at least 20/8/5 in a playoff game. They also became the first Nuggets trio to each record 20/5/5 in a playoff game since 1985.

Nikola Jokic, Christian Braun & Jamal Murray each recorded 20+ points, 8+ rebounds & 5+ assists.

The last trio to do that in an NBA playoff game was the Celtics’ John Havlicek, Sam Jones & Bill Russell on April 26, 1966 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/KeZSIuMf9c
— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) May 16, 2025

Nikola Jokic, Christian Braun, & Jamal Murray are the first Nuggets trio to each record 20/5/5 in a playoff game since 1985. pic.twitter.com/xjAmucE0my
— Real Sports (@realapp_) May 16, 2025

While Jokic and Murray have made careers off performing in big moments, Braun has been Denver's unsung hero in the playoffs. The Kansas alum similarly delivered big in Game 7 of the first-round series against the Clippers with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Furthermore, Braun's on-ball defense has been a big revelation for the Nuggets in the playoffs. After holding James Harden to 40% shooting in the first round, the third-year guard has essentially shut down Jalen Williams in the semifinals series. The OKC All-Star has shot a paltry 7-of-23 (30.4%) when guarded by Braun through the first six games.

If the Nuggets trio can replicate its exploits on Sunday, the Thunder will be in for a long night in a do-or-die Game 7. OKC enters as a 7.5-point favorite, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the only player on the top-seeded team to play a Game 7. As such, Denver has the experience advantage, which could prove vital when the dust settles.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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