Aaron Gordon described a calm approach after delivering the first buzzer-beating dunk in NBA playoff history to lift the Denver Nuggets over the Los Angeles Clippers 101-99 in Game 4 at Intuit Dome.
Speaking to reporters postgame, Gordon said, “I thought the game was over, so I was just trying to get off the court,” emphasizing that he wanted to stay composed instead of celebrating prematurely.
Nikola Jokic, who launched the shot that ultimately led to Gordon’s putback, admitted he thought it was “really, really close” whether Gordon got the dunk off in time but maintained belief that it counted.
When asked about making history with the first playoff buzzer-beating dunk, Gordon kept his response brief, crediting Jokic’s effort, calling it simply, “a nice pass.”
The play originated when Jokic attempted a turnaround three-pointer over Ivica Zubac that missed long, allowing Gordon to soar over James Harden and slam home the game-winner with fractions of a second remaining.
The NBA replay center quickly reviewed and confirmed the basket as good, cementing Denver’s win and tying the series at 2-2 as the action shifts back to Ball Arena.
Reflecting on the moment, Gordon highlighted the importance of being prepared, explaining that he was positioned to rebound in case Jokic’s shot missed, noting, “Airballs are really hard to defend against.”
Gordon also addressed an earlier incident involving Harden and rookie Christian Braun, stating that he stepped in to protect his teammate because, “You can’t let nobody step to my young fella.”
He further elaborated on the selfless nature of the Nuggets’ roster, saying that basketball’s team-oriented nature drives him to prioritize collective success over individual accolades.
Jokic, who finished with 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists, acknowledged that although Denver built a 20-point lead after halftime, they struggled defensively in the fourth quarter as the Clippers mounted a comeback.
Gordon stressed that, despite the dramatic ending and personal achievement, the most important outcome was securing the victory to even the series.
The Nuggets will now look to capitalize on home-court advantage with the series essentially reset, with Gordon emphasizing the importance of resilience and chemistry that have been developed over time with Jokic and the rest of the team.
Game 5 between Denver and Los Angeles is scheduled for Monday night in Denver.
