Seven sevens: Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray ready for seventh Game 7 together

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Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have been here before.

On Sunday in Oklahoma City (1:30 p.m., ABC), the Nuggets duo will play its seventh Game 7 together. They have a 4-2 record with two series coming in the NBA bubble. Sunday will be the first true road Game 7 for Jokic and Murray.

Both players have performed well in Game 7s. They have averaged over 24 points a game, while and Jokic nearly averages a triple-double. Michael Porter Jr., Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon all have Game 7 experience as well. Russell Westbrook has played in five Game 7s but only one with the Nuggets.

Here is a look at the Game 7s during the Jokic/Murray era:

Spurs Nuggets Basketball

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, looks to move the ball as San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills defends in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 27, 2019, in Denver. The Nuggets won 90-86 to advance to the second round against Portland. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)






Nuggets 90, Spurs 86

What: Western Conference first round, Game 7

When: April 27, 2019 

Where: Ball Arena

What happened: This was the first playoff appearance for Jokic and Murray. Denver returned to the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference but drew the playoff-tested San Antonio Spurs. Denver led most of the way but struggled in the fourth quarter. Despite shooting 2-for-20 from behind the arc, the Nuggets went on to win with a triple-double from Jokic and 23 points from Murray.

Trail Blazers Nuggets Basketball

From left, Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray and center Nikola Jokic reach for a rebound as Portland Trail Blazers center Enes Kanter looks on in the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Leyba)






Blazers 100, Nuggets 96

What: Western Conference semifinals, Game 7

When: May 12, 2019

Where: Ball Arena 

What happened: The Nuggets had a 17-point lead at one point in the first half but ended up dropping this game at Ball Arena to the Blazers. C.J. McCollum had 37 points for the Blazers, including a jumper to ice the game with less than 1 minute to go. Jokic had 29 points in the loss. Murray had 17 but shot 4-for-18.

Nuggets Jazz Basketball

Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) celebrates with Mason Plumlee (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Utah Jazz Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)






Nuggets 80, Jazz 78

What: Western Conference first round, Game 7

When: Sept. 1, 2020

Where: Orlando, Fla. (NBA bubble)

What happened: The Nuggets finished off their first 3-1 comeback of the NBA bubble with a low-scoring affair against the Jazz. The series belonged to Murray, but Jokic was the star of Game 7 with 30 points and the game-winning shot with 27 seconds left. It was Michael Porter Jr.’s first Game 7 action of his career. The Jazz’s Mike Conley missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have knocked out the Nuggets.

APTOPIX Nuggets Clippers Basketball

Denver Nuggets players and coaches celebrate their win over the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)






Nuggets 104, Clippers 89

What: Western Conference semifinals, Game 7

When: Sept. 15, 2020

Where: Orlando, Fla. (NBA bubble)

What happened: The second-straight Game 7 win in the bubble was powered by Murray’s 40 points. In the three wins after falling behind 3-1, the Nuggets trailed by double digits. Jokic had 16 points and 22 rebounds in the win. The Nuggets went on to lose to the Lakers in the Western Conference finals.

Timberwolves Nuggets Basketball

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA second-round playoff series Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)






Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 90

What: Western Conference semifinals, Game 7

When: May 19, 2024

Where: Ball Arena

What happened: One of the worst losses in Nuggets’ playoff history. Denver led by 20 in the third quarter, but it went down the drain from there. The Nuggets scored only 14 points in the third quarter and 23 in the fourth. Murray (35 points) and Jokic (34 points) were brilliant, but no other Nuggets player scored in double figures. Denver led the series 3-2 but have not beaten the Timberwolves since.

Nuggets 120, Clippers 101

What: Western Conference first round, Game 7

When: May 3, 2025

Where: Ball Arena

What happened: The Clippers led 26-21 after the first quarter before the Nuggets blew them out the rest of the way. Denver led by as many as 35 points and had six players in double figures. Aaron Gordon was the leading scorer with 22 points. 

***

Game 7 career stats

Nikola Jokic (6 games): 24.3 points per game, 15.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists

Jamal Murray (6 games): 24.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists

Michael Porter Jr. (4 games): 8.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 0.5 assists

Aaron Gordon (2 games): 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists

Christian Braun (2 games): 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists

Russell Westbrook (4 games with OKC, 1 game with Denver): 19.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 10.0 assists

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