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Nuggets shock Thunder behind yet another insane Aaron Gordon game-winner

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ByBen Handler|
May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) checks on forward Chet Holmgren (7) after he was hit during a play against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) checks on forward Chet Holmgren (7) after he was hit during a play against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Wow! What an incredible night for the Denver Nuggets and an incredible start to their second-round series with the heavily favored Thunder. OKC led for almost the entire game, by as much as 14, but Denver simply refused to go away, lingering until the very end before finally pouncing and stealing the game in incredible fashion.

Nikola Jokic hit a 3-pointer that cut the lead to 1 with under a minute left, and the game turned into a free-throw contest. Mark Daigneault decided to keep fouling up 3, hoping the Nuggets would eventually run out of time without making up the deficit.

But his plan backfired as Chet Holmgren missed a pair of free throws with just under 10 seconds left and a one point lead, giving the Nuggets the opportunity that they needed.

Aaron Gordon plays hero for the second time these playoffs

Neither team had a timeout left, so Christian Braun grabbed the rebound and immediately looked to push the ball up court with just 9.5 seconds to go. Braun hit Russell Westbrook, who drove hard to the center of the court, drawing in the defense and catching the Thunder off guard.

The defense collapsed, and Russ kicked it out to a wide open Aaron Gordon on the wing. AG didn't hesitate and banged a three-pointer to put the Nuggets ahead 121-119 with just 2.8 seconds remaining. The Thunder's heave at the buzzer was off, and somehow, Denver stole Game 1 of this best-of-7 series.

Denver makes a massive Game 1 statement

Nobody was giving the Nuggets a chance to win this series, and certainly not Game 1 after that quick turnaround from an exhausting seven-game series with the Clippers. But Denver defied the odds, battled to the bitter end, and showed Oklahoma City and the rest of the NBA that this isn't going to be a walk in the park.

Jokic was incredible, putting up a ridiculous 42 points, 22 rebounds, and 6 assists, and the historic OKC defense appeared to have no answers for the three-time MVP. The supporting cast was solid, and the defense largely held the Thunder in check.

This series still has a very long way to go, but what an opening statement by the Nuggets. Sleep on this team at your own peril, but they are clearly focused right now, and they absolutely believe they can beat this team.

Now, the pressure is squarely on the Thunder, as they can ill afford to go down 0-2 with the series shifting to Denver. The Nuggets have done their job, stealing a game on the road, but they shouldn't be content with that and must come out looking just as hungry in Game 2.

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