Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets survived a furious Los Angeles Clippers comeback on Saturday night, escaping with a 101-99 win at Intuit Dome to even their first-round playoff series at 2-2.
After the game, Jokic reflected on the wild finish, sharing that he initially believed his shot at the buzzer had missed badly.
“I thought the game was over, so I didn’t want to get too excited,” Jokic said during the postgame press conference.
The game ended when Aaron Gordon followed Jokic’s missed three-point attempt with a buzzer-beating dunk, the first such finish in NBA playoff history.
Jokic emphasized that he did not intentionally pass the ball to Gordon, referencing a similar play in EuroLeague when a missed shot by Milos Teodosic led to a dramatic putback by Josh Childress.
Speaking on the overall effort, the reigning Finals MVP credited Denver’s strong start and focus after halftime.
“To be honest, I thought we were really good in the first half,” Jokic said, explaining that the Nuggets’ momentum early in the third quarter helped them build a 20-point lead.
However, Jokic acknowledged Denver’s struggles to maintain defensive intensity during the Clippers’ late rally.
“I think our defensive strategy tactic was kind of falling apart, and we cannot let that happen,” Jokic stated.
The Serbian center led the way with 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists, delivering another dominant performance despite the near-collapse.
Jokic also spoke about the physicality of the series, noting that playoff basketball requires both mental and physical toughness, particularly when facing a veteran group like Los Angeles.
Gordon’s game-winning dunk came after Jokic’s hurried shot attempt, which Jokic admitted was a mistake caused by his desire to drain the clock.
“In my mind, I just wanted to wait for the last second and just jack it,” Jokic said.
He praised Gordon’s instincts and chemistry developed over years of playing together, crediting it for the successful final play.
Denver’s supporting cast also stepped up, with Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun each scoring 17 points, while Jamal Murray added 13 points and seven assists.
For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard posted 24 points and nine rebounds, Norman Powell chipped in 22 points, and Ivica Zubac finished with 19 points.
With the series now tied, Jokic stressed the importance of resetting and preparing for Game 5 back at Ball Arena.
“Now the series is even, and it’s completely different,” Jokic said.
Game 5 is scheduled for Monday night in Denver, where the Nuggets will aim to protect home court and take control of the series.
