The Denver Nuggets` acquisition of Aaron Gordon is increasingly looking like one of the best non-superstar trades in recent NBA history. His integration has been exceptional from the beginning, especially with Nikola Jokić orchestrating the offense, allowing Gordon to reach his peak potential on the court.
This past Monday, Denver`s investment in Gordon continued to pay significant dividends when he hit a decisive game-winning 3-pointer with under three seconds remaining, leading the Nuggets to a dramatic 121-119 victory over the top-seeded Thunder. The Nuggets orchestrated a remarkable comeback, finishing the game on a 19-6 run after trailing by 11 points with less than five minutes left.
This was Gordon`s second pivotal game-winning play this postseason. His previous moment of heroism occurred in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Clippers, where he famously dunked an airball just as time expired, reminiscent of Lorenzo Charles` historic shot, securing a crucial win in unconventional fashion.
It`s clear how profoundly impactful these two plays have been for the Nuggets` playoff journey. Had Gordon not completed that unexpected dunk against the Clippers, who held a 2-1 series advantage, that game would have extended into overtime with an uncertain outcome. Instead, Denver tied the series at 2-2 and ultimately won in seven games.
Taking Game 1 and seizing home-court advantage in Oklahoma City this Monday could arguably be considered even more significant. Statistically, teams that win the opening game of a best-of-seven series historically advance over 77% of the time.
Beyond just the game-winner, Gordon delivered a fantastic all-around performance throughout the night, finishing with 22 points and 14 rebounds, including seven critical offensive boards. This strong rebounding effort was vital for the Nuggets to stay competitive in the possession battle against a Thunder team known for forcing numerous turnovers (18 in Game 1).
`Aaron Gordon is gonna be a hero again,` Nuggets coach David Adelman said. `He is a Denver Nugget, man. He is the soul of our team. So cool to see him have two [game-winning] moments that no one will ever forget.`
While calling him the absolute `soul` might be a strong statement given the presence of the world`s best player on the team, the underlying message holds true: Gordon exemplifies Denver`s team-first philosophy. He might have pursued a starring role elsewhere, potentially in a position less suited to his natural game, but in Denver, he has become an invaluable, versatile piece that perfectly complements the team`s structure.
Gordon`s contributions vary nightly – sometimes it`s cutting and rebounding, other times hitting threes, playing strong defense, or running the floor effectively. His on-court chemistry and anticipation with Jokić appear almost divine. It`s arguable that without Gordon, the Nuggets wouldn`t have secured their first championship in franchise history in 2023, nor would they currently be leading the Thunder 1-0 in 2025, or even potentially reached this stage of the playoffs. While Gordon`s athleticism would make him a good player anywhere, his specific role and fit in Denver allow him to be truly exceptional, perhaps nearing perfection. Monday night provided yet another demonstration of this.
Jasper Hawthorne