In an electrifying Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, the Denver Nuggets fought back from a 14-point deficit to stun the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 121-119 victory. Aaron Gordon hit a game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds, while Nikola Jokić dominated with 42 points and 22 rebounds, securing the Nuggets a crucial road win. The Thunder, who entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed, suffered their first loss of the 2025 playoffs, giving Denver home-court advantage in the series.
Nuggets Stage Incredible Comeback
The game appeared to be slipping away from the Nuggets late in the fourth quarter. Trailing by 14 points, Denver’s Aaron Gordon hit two free throws with 11 seconds left to cut Oklahoma City’s lead to one. The Nuggets fouled Chet Holmgren on the following inbounds pass, and the Thunder center missed both free throws, offering Denver one final shot.
With the game on the line, Gordon received a fast break pass from Christian Braun, who grabbed a missed shot and quickly moved the ball upcourt. Russell Westbrook, known for his clutch performances, didn’t rush the play. Instead, he found Gordon sprinting toward the three-point line. Gordon, cool under pressure, stopped, fired, and drained the game-winning three-pointer with 2.8 seconds left. Oklahoma City’s last-ditch attempt fell short, securing the win for the Nuggets.
Jokić Shines in MVP Duel
Nikola Jokić, the reigning MVP, was at his best in this thrilling playoff opener. In a matchup against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who also has MVP aspirations this season, Jokić outshone the Thunder star with a monstrous performance. Jokić finished with 42 points, 22 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks, proving once again why he is one of the most dominant forces in the league.
His 42-point, 22-rebound game was historic, making him only the fifth player in NBA history to achieve such a feat in a playoff game. The other players in this exclusive group include Wilt Chamberlain, George McGinnis, Shaquille O’Neal, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Jokić’s 18 points in the fourth quarter were critical in helping the Nuggets cut into the Thunder’s lead. He made timely plays, including a pull-up three-pointer over Isaiah Hartenstein with just over a minute remaining, to pull Denver within one point.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s Late Push
Despite Jokić’s brilliance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not back down. The Thunder’s star guard scored 13 of his 33 points in the final quarter, keeping Oklahoma City ahead for most of the period. Gilgeous-Alexander made a tough stepback three-pointer over Gordon and later dunked off an inbounds pass to give the Thunder a three-point lead with 11 seconds left.
However, Alex Caruso fouled Gordon on the ensuing inbounds, sending him to the free-throw line. Gordon calmly made both free throws, setting up the thrilling sequence that led to his game-winning three-pointer.
Nuggets’ Strong Start, Thunder’s Resilience
Denver came out aggressive, led by Jokić and Jamal Murray, who combined for 16 points in the first seven minutes. The Nuggets used their speed and defense to get early fast-break points, capitalizing on Oklahoma City’s turnovers and missed shots.
But the Thunder quickly regained their composure, using their league-best defense to stymie Denver’s offense. Oklahoma City answered with an 11-2 run to take a 27-26 lead at the end of the first quarter, a sign of the resilience that has made them the top seed in the Western Conference.
The Playoff Atmosphere in Oklahoma City
The capacity crowd at Paycom Center was on the edge of its seat as the game intensified. Denver’s defense, led by Gordon and Caruso, proved effective against Oklahoma City’s star players. Despite being at a rest disadvantage—having played a grueling seven-game series against the Clippers while the Thunder rested after sweeping Memphis—the Nuggets kept their energy high, never letting go of the rope.
“We live in the present,” said Nuggets interim coach David Adelman. “We’ve got to take advantage of the opportunities we get.”
