Denver Nuggets started in front of the NBA West Conference semifinals. Outside, the team beat Oklahoma City Thunder 121 to 119, with historic acting of Nikola Jokic and a decisive throw of Aaron Gordon in the final seconds.
Jokic was the name of the confrontation. The Serbian pivot ended with 42 points, 22 rebounds and 5 assists, becoming the fourth player in the NBA playoff history to record at least 40 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists in a single game, joining stars like Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Despite the performance, Thunder made it difficult, alternating markers throughout the game. The Serb even showed frustration with the marking and made a foul after hitting Luguentz Dort with an elbow on his chin in the last room.
Even hanging from five fouls, Jokic was decisive and scored 16 points after the bid.
Nuggets did not lead the scoring from the first quarter and were 13 points behind in the last period. However, they accumulated a sequence of 19 to 6 in the final minutes and became the match.
With 9.5 seconds remaining, Chet Holmgren had a chance to expand Thunder’s advantage in the free bid, but missed the two throws. In the counterattack, Westbrook led the ball and found Gordon free to the basket of three who sealed the victory.
Aaron Gordon ended with 22 points and was exalted by interim coach David Adelman after the match: “He is the soul of our team,” he said.
AARON GORDON 3 FOR THE WIN!!! take Game 1 in a THRILLER 🤯
– NBA (@nba)
Westbrook, former Thunder’s edge, was important in Denver’s reaction, scoring eight of his 10 points during the third quarter. Christian Braun also played an essential role in taking the decisive rebound after the free throws wasted by Holmgren.
On Thunder’s side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points and was the main offensive highlight. Alex Caruso contributed 20 points for Thunder, including the first three of the team after ten wrong attempts.
Oklahoma’s team had not been acting nine days ago and showed signs of irregular rhythm at the end.
Game 2 of the series happens again in Oklahoma, this Wednesday (7).
