Jokic’s 42-22 Stat Line, Gordon’s Buzzer Beater Lift Nuggets Over Thunder/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Nikola Jokic powered the Denver Nuggets with 42 points and 22 rebounds, while Aaron Gordon hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds left, lifting Denver to a 121-119 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Jokic, Gordon Deliver in Crunch Time: West Semis Game 1 Quick Looks
- Game-Winning Shot: Aaron Gordon drilled a go-ahead 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds left
- Jokic Dominates: MVP finalist posted 42 points, 22 rebounds, 7 assists
- Clutch Comeback: Nuggets overcame an 11-point deficit late in the fourth
- Westbrook’s Return: Westbrook contributed to game-winner in OKC playoff return
- OKC Missteps: Thunder blew late lead, missed free throws sealed fate
- Flagrant Foul Drama: Jokic assessed a flagrant 1 but avoided disqualification
- Coaching Impact: Interim coach David Adelman lauded team’s resilience and Gordon’s leadership
- What’s Next: Game 2 set for Wednesday in Oklahoma City
Jokic’s 42-22 Stat Line, Gordon’s Buzzer Beater Lift Nuggets Over Thunder
Deep Look
OKLAHOMA CITY — MVP finalist Nikola Jokic delivered another historic performance, but it was Aaron Gordon’s clutch 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining that gave the Denver Nuggets a stunning 121-119 comeback win over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Jokic poured in 42 points, grabbed 22 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists, becoming just the fourth player in NBA playoff history to record at least 40-20-5 in a single game. Still, it was Gordon, the team’s versatile forward, who hit the shot of the night.
“We just didn’t want to miss the moment,” Gordon said postgame. “We showed our mettle, our grit, but we’re not satisfied.”
Heroics and Hustle
Gordon’s winner wasn’t his first clutch play of the postseason. He previously sealed Game 4 of the Nuggets’ first-round series against the Clippers with a buzzer-beating dunk off a Jokic miss. On Monday, he was equally essential, finishing with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and a signature defensive effort.
“Aaron’s going to be a hero again,” said interim coach David Adelman. “But I’m also looking at 14 rebounds. Ball-handling, leadership — he’s the soul of our team.”
Russell Westbrook, back in Oklahoma City as a playoff opponent for the first time, made a key pass to Gordon on the final possession — a poetic touch in a dramatic game.
A Game of Runs and Resilience
The Nuggets trailed 113-102 with just over four minutes remaining before launching a furious rally. Jokic stayed on the floor despite picking up a flagrant foul and his fifth personal, managing the remainder of the game without fouling out.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, lost composure down the stretch. Chet Holmgren missed two critical free throws with under 20 seconds left, opening the door for Denver’s comeback. The Thunder also fouled intentionally in the closing moments — a strategy that backfired as the Nuggets hit all four ensuing free throws.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also an MVP finalist, scored 33 points and added 10 rebounds and 8 assists, but couldn’t prevent the Thunder from collapsing late. Alex Caruso added 20 points, 6 assists, and 5 steals in the loss.
Postgame Reflections
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault stood by his decision to foul intentionally late in the game.
“It didn’t go our way tonight,” Daigneault said. “But it’s worked for us before. That’s not why we lost.”
The Thunder, who had been off for a full week after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies, showed rust in the game’s final moments, unable to close out a veteran Nuggets team that only wrapped up its previous series two days prior.
Denver, by contrast, leaned on championship experience from its 2023 title run.
“I never felt like anybody wavered,” Adelman said. “You just try to give yourself a chance. We did that.”
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