Nikola Jokic scored 42 factors and 22 rebounds, and Aaron Gordon hit a 3-pointer within the closing seconds to offer Denver Nuggets a rare victory for 121-119 return to the best Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night in sport 1 of their collection of semifinals of the Western Conference.
Oklahoma City, exterior the timeout, has misplaced a desperation with which era has expired.
Russell Westbrook of Denver, who began his profession with the Thunder, witnessed the winner of Gordon’s sport. It was his first playoff sport in Oklahoma City as a opponent participant.
Gordon closed with 22 factors and 14 rebounds. Jamal Murray added 21 factors for the Nuggets of Quarto Seme, who stole the open after closing a collection of seven video games towards the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
Denver’s alternative got here after Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren misplaced two free pictures with the thunder that led to at least one level.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 33 factors, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder, who had not performed for greater than per week after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies within the first spherical. Alex Caruso added 20 factors, six assists and 5 thefts.
Jokic collected three fouls throughout a two -minute stretch within the third quarter after committing solely a foul within the first half. He remained at stake with the thunder that brings 73-64.
The Nugget closed the hole at 90-85 by the tip of the third quarter.
With the Thunder guides 104-95 and just below the remaining seven minutes, Jokic Elbow received Lu Dort on his head on a report and the sport was revised. The comedy has been established a 1 flagrant on Jokic – his fifth foul – and Dort made two free pictures.
Denver spent the remainder of the sport to shut the hole.
Reporting by the Associated Press.
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