Nuggets Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against Thunder in Playoff Opener

Nikola Jokic delivered an astonishing performance with 42 points and 22 rebounds, helping the Denver Nuggets secure a thrilling 121-119 victory over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. The Western Conference semifinals series opener on Monday night climaxed with Aaron Gordon’s clutch 3-pointer in the final moments.

With Oklahoma City out of timeouts, a desperate long-range attempt fell short as the clock ran out.

Russell Westbrook, who famously started his NBA journey with the Thunder, played a key role by assisting Gordon’s decisive shot. This game marked Westbrook’s first postseason appearance in Oklahoma City as a rival player.

Aaron Gordon ended the night with 22 points and 14 rebounds. His heroics included a second game-winning shot of the playoffs, the first being a buzzer-beating dunk in Game 4 of Denver’s initial playoff series against the LA Clippers.

For the Nuggets, Jamal Murray contributed significantly with 21 points. Fresh from a grueling seven-game face-off with the Clippers, the fourth-seeded Nuggets managed to take the series lead, with Murray and Jokic being involved in 74% of the team’s scoring with either points or assists.

The door opened for Denver when Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren missed two crucial free throws, holding just a narrow one-point lead.

On the Thunder’s side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up an impressive 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Thunder, enjoying a long rest after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in their previous series, couldn’t convert their extended break into a win.