Aaron Gordon delivered the first game-winning, buzzer-beating dunk in modern NBA playoff history, lifting the Denver Nuggets to a dramatic 101-99 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night at Intuit Dome.
Nikola Jokic powered Denver with 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists, nearly notching another playoff triple-double while helping the Nuggets tie the series at 2-2.
Jokic’s turnaround three-point attempt over Ivica Zubac sailed long, but Gordon crashed the glass, soaring over James Harden to slam it home just before the final buzzer.
The play was immediately reviewed at the NBA replay center in New Jersey and was confirmed good, sending Denver’s bench into celebration and leaving the Clippers stunned on their home floor.
The Nuggets nearly squandered a 22-point lead after dominating the third quarter, where they outscored Los Angeles 35-17 to build an 85-65 advantage.
However, the Clippers responded behind Kawhi Leonard, Harden, and Norman Powell, using a 34-16 fourth-quarter surge to briefly seize a late lead.
Bogdan Bogdanovic’s putback gave Los Angeles a 97-96 advantage with just over a minute left, but Jokic answered with a free throw and a tough bucket to push Denver ahead.
Zubac tied it at 99 before Jokic’s last shot and Gordon’s historic putback decided the outcome.
Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun added 17 points apiece for the Nuggets, while Jamal Murray contributed 13 points and seven assists despite shooting 5-for-17.
Leonard paced the Clippers with 24 points and nine rebounds, Powell scored 22 points with four three-pointers, and Zubac finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.
The game grew heated late in the second quarter when a midcourt skirmish resulted in six technical fouls, including on Jokic, Gordon, Braun, Harden, Powell, and Dunn.
Despite the Clippers’ late push, they struggled offensively overall, finishing 44.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, compared to Denver’s 46% shooting.
Los Angeles also missed the presence of Russell Westbrook, who sat out with left foot inflammation.
Denver will host Game 5 on Monday night at Ball Arena with the series now effectively reset and both teams seeking to seize control.
