Aaron Gordon’s late 3-pointer handed over the Denver Nuggets and won one huge game to the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
Aaron Gordon scored the final three-pointer gasp, and Nicola Jokic produced a 42-point masterpiece as the Denver Nuggets surprised one seeded Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 in the dramatic NBA Western Conference second-round series opener.
Nuggets forward Gordon drained 25 feet of effort from outside the arc with four seconds remaining to snatch the victory on Monday against Thunder Lineup, who led 14 points in the third quarter at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center.
The Thunder continued their double-digit lead for most of the fourth quarter, but their advantages evaporated after 18 points from Serbian Starziokic in the final frame.
The towering three NBA Mostable Player (MVP) finished with 22 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and steel in addition to a 42-point tally.
Oklahoma City had left two free throws missed two times from forward Chetholmglen with 10 seconds left. His team defended a thin 119-118 lead.
These mistakes were expensive, and Denver rebounded and launched the final offensive raid that ended with Gordon’s victory three-pointer.
Denver interim coach David Adelman paid tribute to Gordon’s all-round effectiveness, finishing with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
“I see ball handling, responsibility, leadership. He’s the Denver Nugget and the soul of our team,” Adelman said. “It’s so cool to see him having such a moment.”
Gordon said the calm under pressure from the Nuggets made them round out the victory.
“A lot of people have stepped up,” he said. “We were calm and we believed we were going to win regardless of the situation.”
Gordon and Jokic were supported by 21 points from Jamal Murray and 18 points from Russell Westbrook.
Shy Gilgauss Alexander led Oklahoma City with 33 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Alex Caruso shot five three-pointers before scoring 20 points off the bench.
Game 2 of the Top 7 Series will be held on Wednesday.
