Jamal Murray Breaks the Nikola Jokic Monopoly: The End of an Incredible Six-Year Streak

In a sign that the Denver Nuggets’ co-star is fully realizing his potential and asserting his dominance, Jamal Murray has finally snapped a remarkable streak that had been held exclusively by his running mate, Nikola Jokic, for the better part of six years.

On Monday, December 8, 2025, Murray was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career. While this is a massive and well-deserved honor for Murray, it represents the end of an almost unbelievable run of dominance by Jokic:

The Streak: Jokic’s Six-Year Player of the Week Monopoly

Prior to Murray’s win, Nikola Jokic was the only Denver Nuggets player to win a Western Conference Player of the Week award since Paul Millsap in 2018.

For over six seasons—a period that saw the team rise from fringe contender to NBA Champion—every single Player of the Week honor bestowed upon a Nuggets player went directly to the two-time MVP. This streak, spanning multiple years and multiple regular seasons, was a bizarre statistical anomaly that perfectly encapsulated the team’s reliance on Jokic’s singular greatness.

The Break: Murray’s Unprecedented Efficiency

Murray’s performance for the week of December 1-7, 2025, was simply too dominant to ignore, forcing the national spotlight—and the league’s recognition—away from the reigning Finals MVP.

• Averaged: 29.8 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds.

• Insane Efficiency: Shot a scorching 59.5% from the field and an elite 62.1% from three-point range.

The highlight of the week was an unforgettable performance just two days after suffering a minor ankle sprain: a 52-point explosion against the Indiana Pacers, where he shot a remarkable 10-of-11 from beyond the arc. This display of efficient, high-volume scoring was the signature moment that cemented his first-ever Player of the Week award.

The Significance: An All-Star Case is Sealed

The end of the “Jokic-only” streak is far more than just a footnote in the team’s history; it is tangible evidence that Murray is operating at a consistently elite, All-Star level this season.

• The Narrative Shift: For years, Jokic carried the odd distinction of being the only MVP in league history to play his first several seasons without a single teammate earning All-Star, All-NBA, or All-Defense honors. While that ultimate streak (having an All-Star/All-NBA teammate) is still alive, Murray’s Player of the Week recognition is the first concrete sign that the broader NBA community views him as a worthy co-star, not just a playoff supernova.

• Career-Best Production: This season, Murray is averaging career highs in points (25.0), assists (6.8), and shooting splits (51% FG, 45% 3PT), shedding the slow starts that have plagued the beginning of his past regular seasons. His efficiency and leadership—especially during the team’s current road winning streak—have made his All-Star candidacy a near-certainty.

Murray’s breakthrough award marks a critical turning point for the Nuggets: they are no longer viewed merely as “Jokic and the supporting cast,” but as a true two-star tandem ready to dominate the league.