Nuggets Stun Thunder in Game 1 with Jokic’s 42-Point Comeback

The NBA Playoffs never disappoint, and Monday night in Oklahoma City was a perfect example. The Denver Nuggets pulled off a wild 121-119 comeback win over the top-seeded Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series. And if you thought this one was going to be a cakewalk for the Thunder after a long rest, think again.

This game had everything: huge performances, clutch moments, missed chances, and a storybook ending that only the postseason can deliver. Let’s break it down in a way that feels more like chatting with a friend than reading a stat sheet.

How did Jokic turn this game around?

Nikola Jokic was an absolute monster. He dropped 42 points and grabbed 22 rebounds, just doing everything in his power to keep Denver afloat. The Thunder couldn’t figure out a way to stop him, even when he got into foul trouble.

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At one point in the third quarter, Jokic picked up three quick fouls in just about two minutes. It looked like trouble. He already had four fouls, and the Thunder had a 9-point lead. But instead of panicking, Jokic stayed calm, stayed on the floor, and just kept cooking. He refused to come out, and Denver slowly chipped away at the lead.

That’s the kind of stuff MVPs are made of.

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What happened in the final minutes?

Here’s where things got wild.

With under seven minutes to go, Oklahoma City was up 104-95. Jokic drove to the basket and caught Lu Dort in the head with an elbow. After review, it was called a flagrant 1 foul. Jokic now had five fouls, and Dort nailed both free throws.

It could’ve been the dagger.

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But Denver didn’t fold. They kept fighting, trading buckets, and making defensive stops. Then came the big moment.

Chet Holmgren missed two clutch free throws with the Thunder up by one. That left the door wide open. On the next possession, Russell Westbrook—yep, that Westbrook—dished it out to Aaron Gordon, who knocked down a cold-blooded 3-pointer.

Just like that, the Nuggets were up 121-119.

Oklahoma City had no timeouts left and had to throw up a desperation shot. It didn’t fall. Game over.

What made this win so special?

Let’s talk about Russell Westbrook for a second. This was his first playoff game in OKC as an opponent, and wow, what a moment for him. That assist to Gordon? Storybook stuff. You could feel the energy shift in the arena.

Also, Gordon’s been clutch all postseason. He had a buzzer-beating dunk to win Game 4 against the Clippers, and now he’s hitting game-winning threes. He finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds, proving once again that he’s more than just a highlight dunker.

Jamal Murray added 21 points and played a big role in the Nuggets’ offense too. Between him and Jokic, they were involved in 74% of Denver’s points. That’s incredible efficiency under pressure.

On the Thunder’s side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was phenomenal with 33 points, 10 boards, and 8 assists. Alex Caruso chipped in with 20 points and played strong defense all night. But in the end, the missed chances at the line cost them.

Can the Thunder bounce back?

Absolutely. This team is the No. 1 seed for a reason. They had been off for over a week after sweeping Memphis, so maybe they came in a little rusty. But the pieces are there: Shai is a star, Chet is still learning but dangerous, and their bench brings energy.

Still, this loss is going to sting. Blowing a late lead at home isn’t how you want to start a series. Game 2 is going to be a must-win to avoid going to Denver down 0-2.