Nuggets Steal Game 1 in Thrilling Comeback Victory Over Thunder
Denver secured a dramatic 121-119 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference semi-final series Monday night, fueled by a herculean performance from Nikola Jokić and a clutch shot from Aaron Gordon.
The top-seeded Thunder, left without timeouts, were unable to convert a last-second heave as time expired, handing the Nuggets a crucial road win to start the series.
Jokić’s Dominance and Gordon’s Heroics
- Nikola Jokić dominated the stat sheet with 42 points and 22 rebounds.
- Aaron Gordon sealed the victory with a three-pointer in the closing seconds.
- Gordon finished the game with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
- Jamal Murray contributed 21 points for the Nuggets.
Denver’s opportunity arose after Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren missed two free throws with the Thunder holding a narrow one-point led.
Did you know? Nikola Jokić’s 42 points marked his highest scoring output of the 2025 playoffs so far.
Westbrook’s Return and Gordon’s confidence
Russell Westbrook, who began his NBA career with the Thunder, played a pivotal role by assisting on gordon’s game-winning shot. this marked his first playoff appearance in Oklahoma City as a member of an opposing team.
Gordon expressed unwavering confidence in his shot after the game. When I shot it, did I know it was in?
Gordon said. I knew it wasn’t a miss.
This isn’t Gordon’s first clutch play of the postseason; he previously delivered a buzzer-beating dunk in Denver’s first-round series against the Los angeles Clippers.
Thunder’s Efforts Fall Short
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
- Alex Caruso added 20 points, six assists, and five steals.
Oklahoma City entered the game well-rested, having swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round and enjoying over a week off.
Foul Trouble and denver’s Comeback
Jokić encountered foul trouble in the third quarter, picking up three fouls in a two-minute span after committing only one in the first half. Despite the risk, he remained in the game with the Thunder leading 73-64.
The Nuggets managed to close the gap to 90-85 by the end of the third quarter.
tensions flared in the fourth quarter when Jokić elbowed Lu Dort in the head on a drive with just under seven minutes remaining and the Thunder leading 104-95. The play was reviewed and ruled a flagrant 1 foul on Jokić, his fifth of the game. Dort converted both free throws.
Denver then mounted a determined comeback, ultimately securing the victory in the final seconds.
Pro Tip: Teams that win Game 1 of a best-of-seven series have a significantly higher chance of winning the series overall. Denver’s victory puts them in a strong position moving forward.
Quotes from the Game
When I shot it, did I know it was in? I knew it wasn’t a miss.
Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets Forward
Frequently Asked Questions
who was the leading scorer for the Nuggets?
Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets with 42 points.
Who hit the game-winning shot?
Aaron Gordon hit the game-winning three-pointer.
What was Russell Westbrook’s role in the game?
Russell Westbrook assisted on Aaron Gordon’s game-winning shot.
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was 121-119 in favor of the Denver Nuggets.
What do you think was the turning point of the game?
