Aaron Gordon’s Winning Dunk Secures Nuggets’ Victory
Nikola Jokic made a daring 3-point attempt, and Aaron Gordon came through with a crucial dunk as the Denver Nuggets triumphed over the Los Angeles Clippers 101-99 in an exhilarating NBA playoff match on Sunday morning.
Nuggets Maintain Control Despite Late Rally
The Nuggets seemed poised for an easy victory, leading by 20 points going into the last quarter. However, the Clippers mounted a comeback as Denver’s starters, having logged over 40 minutes, began to tire.
Clutch Play at the Buzzer
Denver found itself with a final opportunity to secure the game in the very last moments, and Gordon soared to make a phenomenal dunk off Jokic’s three-point shot attempt. This dramatic finish followed a heated exchange between Gordon and James Harden just before the halftime break, and Gordon was notably booed by Clippers fans in the second half.
Jokic’s Stellar Performance
Despite suffering a hefty 34-point loss in Game 3 and missing essential bench player Russell Westbrook, the Nuggets rebounded with an impressive showing from Jokic, who recorded 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists.
Simmons Shines Despite Loss
Australian player Ben Simmons stood out for the Clippers even in defeat. Though he only scored 2 points, his defensive efforts significantly impacted the game. Coach Ty Lue praised Simmons for “changing the game” with his quick defensive play, which included forcing Jokic into a tough shot and contributing to a crucial offensive rebound and dunk.
Clippers’ Comeback Efforts
After a tightly contested game, the Clippers closed in on Denver’s lead, trailing 96-95 in the final two minutes. Bogdan Bogdanovic equalized with a crucial bucket, but Jokic responded with an impressive double-spin move to re-establish a narrow lead for Denver.
Upcoming Matches
In other playoff actions, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 117-115 to sweep their series, while the Cleveland Cavaliers handed the Miami Heat a record-breaking playoff defeat of 124-87. The Cavaliers are now on the verge of a series sweep as they head into their next game on Tuesday.
