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Victor Petkov
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Aaron Gordon outshines Jokic as Nuggets win Game 1 vs Thunder 121-119
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Jokic had a historic night with 42 points, 22 assists and 5 rebounds, but Gordon shot the winner with just seconds to spare

Aaron Gordon once again proved to be Denver’s unlikely playoff hero, hitting a game-winning three-pointer with just 2.8 seconds remaining to lift the Nuggets to a dramatic 121-119 victory over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday night.

While all eyes were on Nikola Jokic, who delivered a historic performance with 42 points, 22 rebounds, and five assists, it was Gordon who sealed the win in the final seconds. Jokic became only the fourth player in NBA playoff history to reach the 40-20-5 mark, showcasing exactly why he’s a finalist for the league’s MVP award.

Denver’s final play was made possible by veteran guard Russell Westbrook, who delivered the assist on Gordon’s decisive shot. The moment was particularly poignant for Westbrook, who was playing his first playoff game in Oklahoma City as an opponent after spending the bulk of his career with the Thunder.

The Nuggets, who had just closed out a tough seven-game series against the Clippers on Saturday, showed no signs of fatigue as they rallied late to steal home-court advantage. Jamal Murray contributed 21 points and provided key offensive support down the stretch.

On the other side, Oklahoma City appeared rusty after a long layoff following their first-round sweep of Memphis. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, another MVP finalist, was stellar with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, while Alex Caruso added 20 points along with strong defensive numbers. However, the Thunder’s hopes were dashed in the closing moments when rookie Chet Holmgren missed two crucial free throws with his team holding a one-point lead.