Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman shared his thoughts following his team’s dramatic 101-99 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 4 of their playoff series. The game was capped off by Aaron Gordon’s game-winning, buzzer-beating dunk—an NBA first in modern playoff history.
The Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic’s near triple-double of 36 points, 21 rebounds, and 8 assists, took a commanding 22-point lead heading into the final quarter. However, the Clippers mounted a fierce comeback behind Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Norman Powell, briefly taking the lead late in the game. Despite the Clippers’ surge, it was Gordon who delivered the decisive play, soaring over James Harden to slam home Jokic’s missed three-pointer at the buzzer.
“We wanted him to catch it at the logo, not outside the three-point line, but Aaron’s athleticism was the key,” Adelman said. “I couldn’t tell if it was good or not—I was preparing for overtime—but our guys crashed the glass, and Aaron met the ball early. It was a hell of a win.”
The Nuggets appeared poised to secure the win with their dominant performance in the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 35-17. Yet, Los Angeles responded with a 34-16 surge in the fourth, with Zubac’s putback giving the Clippers a 97-96 advantage in the final minute. Jokic quickly regained the lead for Denver with a free throw and a clutch basket, but Zubac tied it once more before Gordon’s heroic finish sealed the victory.
Adelman praised the physicality his team displayed throughout the game, especially after their Game 3 loss. “After Game 3, we felt like we got punked mentally. Tonight was different. We came out and played with physicality and toughness, which is crucial in the playoffs,” he said.
While Gordon’s dunk was the highlight, Adelman also credited Michael Porter Jr. for his solid performance, scoring 17 points despite lingering injury concerns. “Michael’s one of the toughest guys I’ve coached. He came in and hit big shots when we needed them,” Adelman remarked.
Despite the late-game drama, Adelman acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly their offensive execution in the fourth quarter. “We lost our aggressiveness offensively, and that’s something we’ll learn from,” he said. “We need to stay sharp throughout the entire game.”
With the series now tied 2-2, the Nuggets will look to regain control when they host Game 5 at Ball Arena on Monday night. Both teams are looking to seize the advantage in what is now a best-of-three series.
