Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray continue to amaze at the start of the 2025-26 season.
The dynamic duo combined for impactful plays in the clutch, buzzer beaters, and a bunch of smart playmaking in the Denver Nuggets 125-115 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jokic was very low usage in the game, preferring to set the table for teammates as often as possible. He racked up 16 assists, including some game-clinching passes at the end of the night that caused oohs and ahhs from the Grizzlies home crowd.
what pic.twitter.com/KB4ZDAGmFn
— Steve Jones (@stevejones20) November 25, 2025
He also hit the most non-chalant halfcourt buzzer beater I’ve seen in a long time. It was just a normal jumper for him…right?
Nikola Jokic… Unreal.pic.twitter.com/BvBRbUIM6p
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 25, 2025
In the absence of Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, the Nuggets have found the ball in Murray and Jokic’s hands extremely often. They’re making almost all of the decisions in these games and often making incredible plays in the process. Both have obviously done this before, but the game seems to be coming to Murray a bit easier to start the season. His numbers are better, and his ability to step up in these moments continues to impress.
If it weren’t for the clutch performances of Denver’s two stars, the biggest storylines would be Peyton Watson and Cam Johnson. Denver’s two starting wings each had effective games of their own.
Watson accumulated 27 points, five rebounds, and three assists. He also had an emphatic rejection of Jaren Jackson Jr. that set the tone nicely. Watson was a high usage option tonight, taking 22 shots and 12 three-pointers. Watson made five threes though, and his cutting around the rim was a popular target for Jokic tonight. Watson continues to embrace the starting spot he’s held since Denver’s injuries took hold, and if he continues to play like this, conversations will be had.
ANOTHER corner three from Peyton Watson pic.twitter.com/lXulc7f0rE
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) November 25, 2025
Off the bench, the Nuggets had positive plus-minus numbers across the board. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown played 27 and 28 minutes respectively, sharing the floor with Denver’s starters as wing shooters and defenders. Hardaway had 13 points, shooting 2-of-7 from three but 3-of-3 from inside the arc. Brown had nine points, three rebounds, and two assists, playing aggressive defense on the perimeter and switching constantly to give the Nuggets energy on their defensive contests.
Overall, it was a nice game for Denver. The defense slipped up at some points, but the offense continues to shine. Denver shot an absurd 22-of-43 from three-point range tonight against Memphis, definitely not a sustainable figure going forward but perhaps a sign of their fortunes changing from three-point range. Seeing shots go in makes it easier to set up everything else, and the Nuggets still have many areas for growth that will be helped by hitting open shots consistently.
The Nuggets now have three days off as part of the NBA’s Thanksgiving break. Then, they will play a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns. Both matchups will be a challenge.