Nikola Jokić has a special talent: turning every game into something that feels more like a show than a simple sporting event. And against Memphis, as he led the Nuggets to a 125-115 win with a triple-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists, he reminded everyone of that with one of those plays that make even the most jaded viewers jump out of their seats.

The Nuggets were flirting with danger: from a +17 lead to an advantage crumbling possession after possession, the crowd starting to murmur, and just over a minute left on the clock. The perfect moment to take the safe route – the one 99.9 percent of NBA players would choose without a second thought. But Jokic is not part of that 99.9 percent.

Isolated at the top of the key, he was on the verge of losing the ball because of Cam Spencer’s pressure. Almost. Instead, he turned his back to the basket and whipped a behind-the-back pass with his “off” hand – a tailor-made invitation for Peyton Watson, who cut to the rim as if he already knew exactly what was coming. Layup, game over, crowd erupting.

I was looking at the crowd. And they were literally losing their minds when he made that pass.

Scott Hastings, Nuggets TV analyst

It wasn’t the first magic of the night, nor the only one in his endless repertoire, but it had something extra. That’s the beauty of Jokic, who led Denver to the win without Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun and chose not to speak afterward (he had been very critical following the loss to the Kings).

He wins games – and makes them unforgettable. The Grizzlies’ bench is left speechless, and Denver knows it has a one-of-a-kind player: someone who, when the pressure rises, sees passing lanes where everyone else sees nothing but risk.