Aaron Gordon’s last-second dunk lifted the Denver Nuggets to a thrilling 101-99 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, leveling their playoff series at two games each. The game ended dramatically when Gordon slammed down Nikola Jokic’s missed shot just before the buzzer, a play confirmed by video review. Denver had initially built a 22-point lead before the Clippers clawed their way back into contention.
Nikola Jokic was a standout performer yet again, contributing 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists for the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun chipped in with 17 points each, providing crucial support. On the Clippers’ side, Kawhi Leonard put up 24 points, while Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac added 22 and 19 points, respectively, with Zubac also gathering 12 rebounds and six assists.
The Nuggets managed to split their two games at the Clippers’ new home ground, the Intuit Dome. With the series tied, all eyes now turn to Monday’s pivotal Game 5 in Denver. A heated exchange between the teams near halftime resulted in six technical fouls, including one on Jokic, setting the tone for a fiercely contested match.
The Clippers took their first lead of the game at 97-96, thanks to Bogdan Bogdanovic’s offensive rebound and basket with just over a minute to go. Jokic responded with a free throw and a basket to put Denver back on top, before Zubac evened the score again. As the final seconds ticked away, Jokic’s long-range attempt missed, but Gordon was there to capitalize, sealing the win with his buzzer-beating slam.
Denver dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 35-19 and stretching their lead to 85-65. However, the Clippers mounted a fierce comeback in the fourth, led by Leonard, Harden, and Powell, to outscore Denver 34-16. The tension on the court was palpable, with Jokic, Gordon, and Braun receiving technical fouls during a brief scuffle. The Clippers’ Harden, Powell, and Kris Dunn also picked up fouls in the incident, though no punches were thrown.
Despite the Clippers fans’ chants of “Throw him out!” directed at Gordon, the Nuggets maintained their composure. Los Angeles struggled offensively, shooting only 39-of-88 overall and a mere 10-of-30 from beyond the arc, which contributed to their downfall. The Nuggets, in contrast, found their rhythm in the third quarter, hitting five 3-pointers to the Clippers’ one.
Adding to the Clippers’ woes, Denver’s Russell Westbrook was sidelined due to left foot inflammation, yet the Nuggets managed to hold strong. As the series moves back to Denver, both teams will be looking to gain an edge in what has been a tightly contested matchup so far. The Nuggets’ fans will be hoping for another standout performance from Jokic, while the Clippers aim to regroup and find a way to slow down the reigning NBA MVP.
With both teams showing resilience and determination, the remaining games promise to deliver more exciting basketball. The rivalry between the Nuggets and Clippers continues to heat up, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next showdown. As the series unfolds, the outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: each game is proving to be a battle worth watching.
