Nikola Jokic was not too happy after his Denver Nuggets lost Game 3 to the Los Angeles Clippers. He was ready for a bounce-back game, and boy would he ever.
Jokic showed everyone why he’s won the MVP three times in the last four seasons. He scored nine points in the first quarter on 4-5 shooting.
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The Nuggets and Jokic kept their foot on the pedal, pushing their lead up to 22 points at one point. The Clippers weren’t done, however, as they battled back into the game.
Bogdan Bogdanovic would give the Clippers the 97-96 lead with a reverse layup with 1:11 remaining. Jokic would tie the game with a free throw before giving Denver a 99-97 lead with 16.1 remaining after a beautiful fadeaway jumper.
James Harden tried to tie the game but missed a layup. Luckily for LA, Ivica Zubac was there to tip the ball in. Now, with eight seconds left in the game, Denver had one last chance.
The Nuggets would, of course, give the ball to Jokic, who had 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists in the game. Jokic would take a tough fadeaway three that clearly was off, then, something spectacular happened.
Aaron Gordon flew out of nowhere and slammed home the game-winning monster dunk, just in time before the buzzer sounded.
The Nuggets leveled the series at 2-2 with a thrilling finish highlighted by Gordon’s impressive leap.
