By Daniel Paiz

The NBA playoffs are full of ups and downs, highs and lows, drama and laughter. There are also expectations from “experts” and fans who think a game will go a certain way. For the bulk of Game 1, those folks were mostly right. However, Denver chips away at the lead & Gordon hits game-winning three as Nuggets win Game 1 121-119. Oklahoma City led by double digits for a good chunk of this game, but Denver’s effort never showed signs of giving up.

Nikola Jokic had 42 points, 22 rebounds, and six assists. Aaron Gordon had his own double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds, including that huge three to put Denver ahead. That’s two game-winning shots for Gordon now in the 2025 playoffs. Jamal Murray added 21 points, six rebounds, and six assists while Russell Westbrook scored 18 points off the bench. Denver leads the series 1-0 after just one day of rest after winning Game 7 on May 3rd.

Game 1 Recap

First Quarter

Denver is coming out with good effort on both ends of the court, that movement seems to have carried over from Game 7. Denver has active hands in the first quarter. Jamal Murray is back in playoff mode with 12 points so far. After a late rally to end the quarter, things are close as OKC leads 27-26. Denver’s effort is keeping things close and it’s clear OKC had an adjustment period with the Nuggets.

Second Quarter

Bench players are why OKC opens up the lead to double digits, but Denver keeps chipping away. While Murray was the guy in the first, Jokic is making things happen with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Christian Braun and Michael Porter Jr. aren’t hitting buckets yet, which needs to change in the second half. Peyton Watson, Porter Jr., Jokic–and more– have had good defensive pressure on OKC. But, Denver either turns the ball over or misses shots. OKC leads 60-50 at the half. Nuggets need to step up the defensive pressure, while also attacking Holmgren and Hartenstein in the paint; both bigs have three fouls at halftime.

Third Quarter

Jokic continues to score and rebound, as his double-double has climbed to 22 points and 16 rebounds with seven minutes to go in the third. Braun now has seven points, and Gordon is at 10 as the Nuggets keep hanging around. Denver’s effort is keeping them within striking distance. Jokic keeps chipping in his shots, but his teammates aren’t converting right now. 82-77 with 3:29 to go in the third, Denver KEEPS getting after it on both ends of the court. A late surge from Westbrook (17 points) and Braun (nine points) cuts the lead to an OKC 90-85 lead after three. Denver is not Memphis and OKC now knows it.

Fourth Quarter

Denver chips away, OKC puts it to 10 or so points again, but Denver keeps getting it close. Jokic has a 20-20 double early in the fourth with 26 points and 20 rebounds. With 5:24 left, Jokic has a 30-point, 20-rebound double-double as the big fella wills his team to stick around. Aaron Gordon scrambles on the floor to grab a loose ball, and gets the timeout call with just over a minute to go and Denver trails 115-111. Denver has kept things tight, and the effort has been solid. Now it’s 116-117 with 12.9 to go as Jokic has 41 points and 22 rebounds; the Nuggets are used to these battles. SGA scores a bucket; Gordon hits his free throws and it’s 118-119. Here’s where the fun begins.

Holmgren is fouled by Westbrook and goes to the free throw line. He misses the first one. Then…he misses the second free throw! Braun grabs the rebound, pushes the ball down the court to Westbrook. Russell Westbrook makes a cross-court pass to Aaron Gordon, who goes through his progression. Shoots a three. Hits the three-pointer with 2.8 seconds left. Denver survives and wins Game 1 121-119.

Keys to Game 1

• Consistent Effort

Denver fully embraced their current logo and used effort as their pickaxes to chip away at the OKC lead. The deficit at one point reached a 14-point barrier, and Denver kept chipping away. Jokic largely did so with his second half numbers, but Gordon, Westbrook, and Braun added to the score as well. The biggest reflection of Denver winning the effort battle were the team rebounding numbers: Denver handily outrebounded OKC 63-43. Rebounds are the ultimate effort stat, and the Nuggets made sure to play resilient as the game moved on.

• Nikola Jokic

The three-time MVP had an outstanding performance, notching 42 points, 22 rebounds, and six assists. Defensively Jokic impacted the Thunder as well, disrupting shots and adding two blocks and a steal to his stat line. The spotlight in this series shines on OKC’s MVP candidate first, but the Joker is not one to overlook. OKC did a good job defensively in the first half. Jokic found ways in the second half to score, and he got Holmgren and Hartenstein in foul trouble.

Keys to Game 2

This consistent effort throughout has to be maintained across the board. There are a few guys who have to increase their effort level and resilience as well for Game 2. Michael Porter Jr. can be a game changer from downtown, but his shots tonight were not there. Two points can’t be the result on Wednesday, as he has the biggest adjustments to make. The good news is MPJ drove the ball in and was active defensively, so it’s not like he wasn’t engaged. Shots didn’t fall for the three-point striker; Game 2 he’ll need to figure out how to sink shots.

Defensively Denver has to disrupt SGA, as Gilgeous-Alexander notched 33 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. OKC’s main scorer got off the shots he wanted, he just didn’t get enough help from his teammates. That’s weird to say because all five starters scored in double digits, and Alex Caruso had 20 points off the bench. Perhaps that’s why OKC lost, the other four starters didn’t crack 20 points. If Denver can slow down SGA to around 25 or so points and make things hard for the other starters again, then the Nuggets have a good shot in Game 2 as well.

Everyone who watched this first game was reminded that Denver is not Memphis.

Bonus Content

Mile High Recap with Plumas Poetic episode 8 for Game 1 of the second round follows right here: