Context:

In a stunning victory, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 in the first game of their series, overcoming a 14-point deficit in the second half. Aaron Gordon made a critical game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds after Chet Holmgren missed crucial free throws, marking Gordon's second game-winner of the playoffs. Nikola Jokic delivered a historic performance with 42 points, 22 rebounds, and 6 assists, joining legendary players in achieving such stats in a playoff game. Oklahoma City struggled with their strategy of fouling while leading, which allowed Jokic back on the floor and contributed to their downfall. As a result, the Thunder, despite having the home-court advantage and a week's rest, are trailing 1-0 in the series with hopes of bouncing back in game two.

Dive Deeper:

• The Denver Nuggets secured a road victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119, despite being 10-point underdogs and coming off a grueling seven-game series against the Clippers.

• Aaron Gordon was pivotal, hitting a game-winning three-pointer after Chet Holmgren's missed free throws, adding to his 22 points and 14 rebounds on the night.

• Nikola Jokic's exceptional performance included 42 points, 22 rebounds, and 6 assists, placing him among elite company with Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal, and Giannis Antetokounmpo for such playoff statistics.

• The Thunder's late-game strategy of fouling while leading by three backfired, as it allowed Jokic to return to the game and ultimately led to their narrow loss.

• Coach Mark Daigneault of the Thunder acknowledged the missteps in their strategy postgame, indicating a need to reassess their approach for future games.

• Despite leading by 14 points in the second half and holding a 10-point halftime lead, the Thunder could not maintain their advantage and fell behind in the series.

• The Thunder, having had a week of rest, now face the challenge of responding in game two to avoid falling further behind against a resilient Nuggets team.

• The Denver Nuggets just shocked the Oklahoma City Thunder.

• After trailing by as much as 14 in the second half, the Nuggets won game one 121-119 on the road. 

• They had just come off a seven game series against the Clippers and were 10-point underdogs to the best team in the league.

• With all this adversity how did Denver pull it off?

• Aaron Gordon's game-winning shot and huge night

  It's been quite a ride in this year's playoffs for Aaron Gordon. 

• The Nuggets' forward had the game-winning three pointer in the final seconds after two missed free throws from Chet Holmgren. Russell Westbrook passed it across the court to Gordon who did not hesitate to pull up with five seconds to play. 

• ANOTHER AARON GORDON GAME WINNER 🤯 pic.twitter.com/yZNsU0zmzd

• — Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 6, 2025 It's Gordon's second game winner of the playoffs after winning it at the buzzer with an alley-oop dunk vs. the Clippers in game four. 

• He ended the night with 22 points (7-15) and 14 rebounds. His final shot was electric but it was arguably his second-best highlight of the game. 

• Late in the first half, the Nuggets were on a fast break when Gordon got the ball. The former slam dunk champion rose up and put OKC's Chet Holmgren on a poster.

• AARON GORDON POSTER ON CHET pic.twitter.com/sMxXmrkRdh

• — Justin Chen (@chen_justin_) May 6, 2025 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

• Both of Gordon's big plays came at the expense of Holmgren. He was all over the floor in the win, but those two moments will be remembered.

• Gordon told TNT in the postgame interview that he's "just out there to make the right play."

• It looks to be working out for him. 

• Nikola Jokic puts up another historic performance

  It shouldn't be a surprise at this point. Nikola Jokic had another legendary game. 

• He finished with 42 points (15-29), 22 rebounds, and 6 assists. 

• He joins Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal, and Giannis Antetokounmpo as the only players in NBA history to put up a 40, 20, 5 game in the playoffs.

• Joker is fucking amazing man pic.twitter.com/lDvVNy10tD

• — Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 6, 2025 One of Jokic's many standout moments was late in the fourth quarter when he brought the Nuggets within one.

• Standing at the top of the arc, the Serbian took two jabs to try and make space from Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder big man was not swayed too much, but Jokic still pulled up and swished a three. 

• This jab step gave Jokic just the tiniest amount of space to get this three off. That is like Steph Curry type of space. pic.twitter.com/OG4SODHf5m

• — Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) May 6, 2025 Jokic has made a habit out of clutch performances for years. He's a champion and an MVP. But on a night when the Nuggets were coming off a game seven and on the road 48 hours later versus the best team in the league, the superstar rose to the occasion. 

• The Thunder blow the lead fouling up three

  Oklahoma City led by 10 at halftime. Their biggest lead was 14 in the second half. So how did Denver come back?

• It starts and end with free throws. 

• Thunder coach Mark Daigneault prefers to foul when his team is leading up three. The strategy suggests it can be a better choice over giving the other team a chance to tie it with a deep basket. 

• But on a night when the Thunder shot 71% at the line to the Nuggets 81%, it could've been Daigneault's downfall. 

• When the Thunder led by three points with 11 seconds to play, the Nuggets had to inbound the ball with no timeouts and Jokic on the bench. It would've been advantageous to play it out and keep the big man on the sideline, but OKC immediately fouled in the backcourt allowing Jokic back in the game.

• The subsequent possession, Holmgren missed both his free throws setting up the Gordon miss.

• Daigneault took responsibility for the sequence postgame, suggesting that he may reexamine his strategy.

• Daigneault on late-game fouling strategy:
  “Couple things on that. I did think the backcourt fouls hurt us. We can learn from that. The foul-up 3— that’s on me. Getting it executed is critical.” #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/J0BzUxpR4h

• — News 9 (@NEWS9) May 6, 2025 The Thunder have seen a lot of success with this strategy, so Daigneault will likely keep employing it. 

• No matter the reason, OKC is down 1-0 in their second round series. They lost at home on a week of rest against a tired team. There will be a response in game two. 

• At least, that's what Thunder fans hope to see.