Nuggets’ Thrilling Win: Gordon and Jokic’s Honest Take on Game-Winning Dunk
The Denver Nuggets tied their series against the Los Angeles Clippers 2-2 with a thrilling 101-99 win in Game 4, capped off by Aaron Gordon’s historic buzzer-beating dunk. The play that led to the winning dunk was Nikola Jokic’s 3-point attempt that sailed long, only to be rebounded and dunked by Gordon.
The “Pass” That Wasn’t
After the game, Gordon jokingly referred to Jokic’s missed shot as a “good pass,” but Jokic quickly shut down that notion, saying, “No, it wasn’t.” When asked if it was a pass, Jokic laughed and reiterated, “No, no it wasn’t.” Coach David Adelman also weighed in, confirming that Jokic’s intention was a 3-point shot, not a pass.¹ ²
Jokic’s Humility and Gordon’s Heroics
Jokic remained calm after the game-winning dunk, fearing the ball might have left Gordon’s hands too late. “I didn’t want to have excitement and then go down,” Jokic said. Gordon, on the other hand, credited his teammates and downplayed his role, saying he was “just trying to clean up everything on the glass.”
A Historic Moment
Gordon’s dunk marked the first game-winning, buzzer-beating dunk in NBA playoff history. Jokic, meanwhile, drew parallels between the play and a similar moment in the 2010 EuroLeague semifinal between Olympiakos and Partizan, showcasing his vast basketball knowledge.³
The Nuggets now head into Game 5, set for Ball Arena on Tuesday, with momentum on their side. Can they capitalize on this momentum to take a 3-2 series lead? Only time will tell.
