Aaron Gordon voiced his frustration with the officiating following the Denver Nuggets’ 149-106 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. The loss saw the Nuggets’ defense struggle against the Thunder’s fast-paced offense, and Gordon was especially vocal about the physical play against Nikola Jokic.
Gordon pointed out that the referees were allowing excessive contact on Jokic, saying, “They’re fouling Joker first and then Joker is a reactionary. They’re fouling him point-blank period throughout the game.” He emphasized the tough situation, noting that while officials can’t call a foul on every play, it was clear that Jokic was being subjected to illegal physicality.
The Nuggets’ star center finished with 17 points and 8 rebounds but was visibly frustrated by the lack of calls on some of the harder fouls committed against him. Gordon continued, explaining that the team had to adapt to the game’s physical nature: “You gotta play through it. If they’re not going to call a foul every single play, we all got to play through it.”
The Nuggets, who are now facing a 1-1 series tie, will look to bounce back in Denver, where the series will shift for Game 3. Gordon and his teammates know they must be more aggressive in setting the tone early in Game 3 to avoid another blowout. He stated, “We got to come out with a better mindset, set the tone. Understand that that’s what they’re looking to do—impose their will.”
With Jokic enduring frequent contact, the Nuggets will need to adjust both offensively and defensively if they are to challenge the Thunder in their upcoming games. Gordon added that they must refine their basic basketball fundamentals, such as “owning your spot” and using deceptive moves to get open looks. These adjustments, alongside better officiating consistency, will be crucial for Denver’s success in the next games.
As the Nuggets head to Denver, the team is focused on making the necessary adjustments and regaining control of the series. Gordon expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back, referencing past playoff experience. “I like the way this team responds,” he said, highlighting their resilience as they aim for a crucial Game 3 win.
