Nicola Zokic had 42 points and 22 rebounds, while Aaron Gordon hit a three-pointer in the final seconds, giving the Denver Nuggets a stunning 121-119 comeback victory over top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Final Series.
Oklahoma City missed out on a desperate thrill over time from the timeout.
Denver’s Russell Westbrook began his career with the Thunder, supporting Gordon’s game winner. His first playoff game in Oklahoma City was as a confrontational player.
Gordon finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jamal Murray added 21 points to the fourth Seed Nuggets, who stole the opener after closing a seven-game series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
Denver’s chance came after Oklahoma City’s Chetholm Glen missed two free throws and then missed the lightning.
Shy Gilgauss Alexander scored 33 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder, who hadn’t played in more than a week since wiping out the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. Alex Caruso added 20 points, six assists and five steels.
Jokic earned three fouls during a two-minute stretch in the third quarter after committing one foul in the first half. He stayed in the game with the Thunder, who led 73-64.
The Nuggets closed the gap 90-85 by the end of the third quarter.
Thunder led 104-95 with just under seven minutes left, Jokic elbowed Lu Dort in his head on a drive, and the play was reviewed. The play was dominated by Jokic’s incredible one – his fifth foul – and Dort made two free throws.
Denver spent the rest of the game filling the gap.
Report by Associated Press.
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