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Nikola Jokic · Appropriately nicknamed for a player with a thousand tricks and counters up his sleeve on the offensive end, Nikola Jokić found that on December 3, 2024, against an equally-savvy Stephen Curry, that he, perhaps, had fooled even himself. Captaining the Nuggets’ transition charge with Denver trailing by a bucket in the final minute-and-a-half, the three-time Most Valuable Player accepts a high-profile challenge against Curry, pinballing into the Golden State Warriors’ star along the high post. Having commanded the NBA’s full respect as a passer, Jokić, conceivably by accident, uses it advantageously, selling the thought of a pass smoothly enough to turn his defender's stance in a full 360-degree angle before recognizing his opportunity at an unbothered, game-tying midrange bucket. Again living to his status as a man of no statistical “off nights,” Jokić’s box score brilliance enabled 38 points (on 14-of-24 shooting), 10 rebounds, six assists, five steals, one block, and three 3-pointers. The Denver Nuggets, team-wise, followed closely behind, collecting a come-from-behind NBA Cup win against West Group C’s eventual first-place finisher. · State of Mint