Jamal Murray-Nikola Jokic and the best duo performances in NBA playoff history

Tonight, the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets will meet in Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Miami. A win will put Denver just one step away from the first Larry O’Brien Trophy in its history. If Erik Spoelstra’s team wins, the tie will return to zero.

In Game 3, we saw a historic production from the combo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. Now, what unforgettable performances by star duos have we seen throughout the playoffs?

With direct input from ESPN’s stats department, we dive into the story. We will go chronologically.

Fasten your seatbelts: it’s time to take off.

DIVISION FINALS 1962 – GAME 4

Despite the fact that it ended in defeat, nobody forgot the production of Jerry West and Elgin Baylor against the Pistons. They combined to score at least 40 points each in the same Playoff game. No duo has done that in the postseason in 26 years.

NBA FINALS 1969 – GAME 1

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 120-118 with an unforgettable production from West and Wilt Chamberlain. West has a career playoff high with 53 points and 10 assists. Chamberlain scores 15, grabs 23 rebounds and makes the game-winning shot.

NBA FINALS 1970 – GAME 6

Monster performances by West and Chamberlain force a Game 7 against the Knicks. Wilt has 45 points and 27 rebounds, West 33 and 13 assists. Then, in Game 7, the Lakers will fall to the Knicks in Willis Reed’s famous comeback game.

NBA FINALS 1980 – GAME 6

Magic Johnson and Jamaal Wilkes make history. Magic had 42 points and 15 rebounds and combined with Wilkes to score 79 points in the final win over the 76ers. It’s the famous game of Johnson playing center because of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s injury.

FIRST ROUND 1988 – GAME 2

Hakeem Olajuwon and Sleepy Floyd combine to score 83 points for the Houston Rockets in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. Floyd scored 42 points on 73% shooting from the field, while Olajuwon had 41 points and 26 rebounds.

NBA FINALS 1991 – GAME 5

The Chicago Bulls defeat the Lakers to reach their first title. Michael Jordan had 30 points and 10 assists, Scottie Pippen 32 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. It is the first and only time that Jordan and Pippen have scored 30 points each in the same Finals game.

FIRST ROUND 1992 – GAME 3

Jordan and Pippen lead the way in the Bulls’ sweep of the Heat. Jordan had 56 points and Pippen 31. The total of 87 combined points is the most they have combined in a playoff game.

CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS 1992 – GAME 4

Terry Porter and Clyde Drexler become the first duo to score 30 points and 10 assists in the same game, and that includes, for this point, all of playoff history. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns in double overtime.

FIRST ROUND 1995 – GAME 4

Olajuwon and Drexler shine against the Jazz. With chances to be eliminated, Olajuwon (40) and Drexler (41) save the season with at least 40 points each. Then they would win Game 5 and, at the end of the road, the championship.

NBA FINALS 2000 – GAME 4

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal put together a historic game as the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 120-118 in overtime. Kobe scores 28 points including the last two to win. Shaq converts 36 points and drops 21 rebounds.

NBA FINALS 2016 – GAME 5

Kyrie Irving and LeBron James team up against the Warriors to become the first and only duo in Finals history to score 40 points each in the same game.

FIRST ROUND 2018 – GAME 4

Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday combine for 88 points and tie for the most by a duo in NBA playoff history. The New Orleans Pelicans completed their 4-0 sweep of the Blazers with this win.

NBA FINALS 2023 – GAME 3

It happened a few hours ago, but it’s worth keeping in mind: against the Heat, Murray and Jokic become the first duo in history to each have a triple-double in the same game. This includes regular series and playoffs. Obviously, this includes Finals.