The Denver Nuggets pulled off a stunning 121-119 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, grabbing a crucial 1-0 series lead in the Western Conference semi-finals. The result shocked many, as the top-seeded Thunder lost their home court advantage in dramatic fashion.
Oklahoma City appeared to have the upper hand for most of the game, benefiting from a fresh lineup after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. In contrast, the Nuggets were coming off a gruelling seven-game series against the Clippers, but they found a way to rally when it mattered most.
The Thunder’s bench, led by the ever-reliable Alex Caruso, looked in control with multiple 10-point leads throughout the game. Caruso’s impressive 20 points, five steals, and two blocks off the bench were pivotal, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all Thunder scorers with 33 points.
Thunder’s Costly Late-Game Blunder
Despite trailing 111-101 with less than three minutes left, Denver mounted a furious comeback, trimming the deficit to 119-116 with just 11 seconds to play. With no timeouts left, the Nuggets faced a critical situation, having subbed out star centre Nikola Jokic to get a defensive stop with Peyton Watson.
The Thunder then made a costly mistake, fouling Aaron Gordon instead of letting the clock wind down. Gordon calmly sank both free throws, allowing Jokic to re-enter the game. The Thunder’s nightmare continued as Chet Holmgren missed two crucial free throws, leaving the door wide open for Denver.
With just 7.1 seconds remaining, the Nuggets raced up the court, and Gordon nailed a clutch three-pointer to complete the stunning turnaround. Jokic, despite a shaky seven turnovers, dominated with 42 points and 24 rebounds, reinforcing his status as one of the game’s premier big men.
Denver’s interim coach David Adelman praised Gordon’s impact, calling him the “soul” of the team. “I’m looking at ball-handling, responsibilities, leadership – he is a Denver Nugget through and through,” Adelman said. “So cool to see him have a moment like that.”
Knicks Pull Off Incredible Comeback to Stun Celtics
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks pulled off an even more dramatic win, overturning a 20-point deficit to edge the Boston Celtics 108-105 in overtime. Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks, pouring in 29 points and proving once again why he is one of the most clutch players in the league.
Boston had looked in full control with a 72-52 lead early in the third quarter, but the Knicks stormed back as OG Anunoby caught fire, finishing with 29 points, including six three-pointers. According to NBA analyst Keerthika Uthayakumar, this was the largest lead the Celtics have blown in a playoff game since at least 1997.
Despite strong performances from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who each scored 23 points, the Celtics couldn’t stop the bleeding. New York outscored Boston 33-21 in the third quarter, and the Knicks kept the momentum rolling in the fourth, pulling ahead in overtime to seal the unlikely win.
What’s Next?
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau praised his side’s resilience. “We started well, then we fell into a hole and then we fought our way out,” Thibodeau said. “We made tough plays down the stretch, and that’s what it takes to win playoff games.”
Game two in both series promises to be another thriller as the Thunder and Celtics look to bounce back. With the stakes this high, expect more fireworks as the NBA playoffs continue to captivate fans around the world.
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Mitchell
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