Aaron Gordon praised his Denver Nuggets teammate Nikola Jokic after making history with the first game-winning, buzzer-beating dunk in NBA playoff history.
This dramatic moment occurred on Saturday, levelling their series against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Nuggets had squandered a 22-point lead, and Game 4 at Intuit Dome was tied at 99-99 when Jokic attempted a three-pointer.
Jokic’s shot missed the basket with less than a second left, but Gordon seized the rebound and dunked just as the buzzer sounded. Both teams awaited the officials’ decision as referee Zach Zarba reviewed the play. Zarba confirmed that Gordon released the ball before the red light illuminated, securing a 101-99 victory for Denver.
Gordon expressed his role in cleaning up missed shots, saying, “I’m just trying to clean up everything on the glass. Those air balls are hard to defend and I was just in the right place at the right time.” He jokingly added, “It was a nice pass,” to which Jokic humorously replied, “No, it wasn’t.”
Despite Gordon’s thrilling dunk, Jokic remained composed during celebrations. He explained his restraint: “I didn’t want to have excitement and then go down. So I was just like, ‘Keep calm.’ I didn’t know what happened, to be honest. I thought it was close, really close.” Jokic contributed significantly with 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists.
Gordon’s decisive play tied the first-round series at 2-2 ahead of Game 5 at Ball Arena on Tuesday. His performance included 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The victory was crucial for Denver as they aimed to advance further in the playoffs.
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The game concluded with both teams feeling suspenseful until Zarba’s confirmation of Gordon’s timely shot. This moment marked a significant achievement for Gordon and highlighted Jokic’s pivotal role in leading his team through challenging moments.
The Nuggets’ win not only evened their series but also showcased their resilience under pressure. As they prepare for Game 5, both players will aim to maintain their momentum and continue their pursuit of playoff success.