Aaron Gordon is quickly becoming the unsung hero of this year’s NBA playoffs. For the second time this postseason, the high-flying forward delivered a clutch game-winner — this time sealing a dramatic victory for the Denver Nuggets over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of their Western Conference Semifinal matchup. With the buzzer-beating bucket, the Nuggets take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series and Gordon solidifies himself as a playoff X-factor.
The game was a back-and-forth battle from start to finish. Denver and OKC traded leads throughout, with neither team able to create much separation. Nikola Jokić put in another MVP-caliber performance, finishing with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Jamal Murray added 21 points of his own despite tight coverage from OKC’s young backcourt. But when it came down to the final possession, it was Gordon who rose — literally and figuratively — to the occasion.
With the game tied at 104 and only 6.2 seconds on the clock, the Nuggets inbounded the ball to Jokić near the top of the key. As defenders collapsed on the big man, he found Gordon cutting along the baseline. With a quick spin and a soft touch off the glass, Gordon kissed the ball in over Chet Holmgren’s outstretched arm — and Ball Arena exploded.
This wasn’t unfamiliar territory for Gordon. Just last week, he nailed the game-winner in a gritty overtime battle against the Phoenix Suns, showing that his late-game instincts are no fluke. Known more for his defense, athleticism, and highlight-reel dunks, Gordon is now flashing a clutch gene that Denver didn’t necessarily count on — but certainly welcomes.
“It’s all about trust,” Gordon said postgame. “When Joker finds you with the game on the line, that means something. I just wanted to make the right read and finish strong. We’ve got a lot of guys who can take that shot — tonight it was me.”
On the other end, the Thunder were left stunned. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played brilliantly again, scoring 29 points and nearly leading OKC to a road win that would have stolen home-court advantage. Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams chipped in solid efforts, but OKC’s youth showed just a bit in the final moments — a missed switch, a split-second hesitation — that left Gordon open long enough to capitalize.
Now down 2-0, the Thunder return to Oklahoma City with their backs against the wall. Head coach Mark Daigneault remains optimistic, saying, “We’ve been resilient all year. These moments are part of the growth. We’ll adjust and be ready.”
But right now, the story belongs to Aaron Gordon. Once viewed as just a role player or dunk contest highlight, Gordon has stepped firmly into the spotlight as a dependable and clutch performer for the defending champs. Two game-winners in one playoff run? That’s more than luck — that’s making a legacy.
