Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray have been teammates on the Denver Nuggets since the 2016-17 season, Murray’s rookie year. One would think when Jokić is asked who his favorite teammate is, he’d name his longest-tenured running mate. But the Nuggets big man took a different route.
Nikola Jokić Shows Love to Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon is having an incredible postseason so far. From game-winning dunks to clutch 3s, the Nuggets forward is doing it all.
In Denver’s 101-99 win over the LA Clippers in Game 4 of their series, it was Gordon who turned Jokić’s airball into a bit of NBA history as he dunked the miss in an impromptu alley-oop as time expired.
Then, in Denver’s Game 1 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Gordon reached for his cape again, burying the go-ahead 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining.
AARON GORDON 3 FOR THE WIN!!!@nuggets take Game 1 in a THRILLER 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fxV2ReRPZA
— NBA (@NBA)
After the game, Jokić was asked about his five favorite teammates. He clarified that he meant his five “best” teammates, not necessarily his favorites.
Jokic calls Gordon the best teammate he's ever had pic.twitter.com/FPkNPeOujy
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24)
Jokić said Gordon “deserves it” and called him the “soul of the team,” adding, “He probably doesn’t get the respect he deserves.”
Well, the “soul of the team” is getting his recognition now. Gordon joined Robert Horry (2002), Hedo Turkoglu (2009), and LeBron James (2018) as the only players in NBA history with multiple game-winners in the final three seconds of a single postseason during the play-by-play era (since 1996-97).
Nikola Jokić Trolling Jamal Murray?
While Jokić didn’t name Jamal Murray among his top five teammates, there’s no doubt about the bond between the two. Known as “The Joker” for his tricks on and off the court, this may have been just another example of his playful personality.
Maybe it’s his way of motivating Murray, who went 6-for-16 from the field in Game 1. Still, the guard contributed with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Jokić has always praised Murray. After a Game 1 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2024, he said: “Sometimes Jamal Murray is our No. 1 player.”
The duo won a title together in 2023 after defeating the Miami Heat in five games. Their chemistry was on full display during the championship celebration — they even jumped into the pool together following the win.
With Game 2 against Oklahoma City set for May 6, Denver’s big three — Jokić, Murray and Gordon — will again be front and center as the Nuggets look to take a commanding series lead. While most questioned the Nuggets, especially after their firing of head coach Michael Malone well into the season, they seem to be firing on all cylinders at the perfect time.
