The Denver Nuggets needed every ounce of resilience — and a little history — to pull off a heart-pounding 101–99 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 4 of their NBA playoff series on Saturday night.
And at the center of it all was Nikola Jokic, whose remarkable awareness both on and off the court created one of the night’s most memorable moments.
With the score tied and the final seconds ticking away, Jokic battled through double coverage and forced up a tough shot. It missed — but Aaron Gordon was in the perfect spot, skying for a ferocious putback dunk as time expired to secure the win and even the series at 2–2.
In the immediate celebration, Gordon teased Jokic at the podium, calling the errant shot a “good pass.” Jokic, smiling, was quick to correct him — and dropped a bit of European basketball lore in the process.
“No, it wasn’t a pass,” Jokic clarified with a grin. “I don’t know how familiar you are with the EuroLeague. [Milos] Teodosic had the same miss when Josh Childress scored in the semifinal against Partizan some time ago. I’ll help you write a story about it.”
Jokic’s reference was to the 2010 EuroLeague Final Four, where a similarly chaotic rebound and putback sent Olympiacos into overtime against Partizan — a game that remains a classic across European basketball circles.
The Nuggets’ star’s quick memory served as a reminder of his deep roots in European basketball, even as he continues to forge his legend in the NBA. Jokic finished the night with a staggering stat line: 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists, earning Player of the Game honors with an efficiency rating of 54.
“I just wanted to stay calm,” Jokic said, describing the final moments. “You don’t want to celebrate too early. It was close — really, really close.”
Gordon, who delivered the game-winning highlight, praised Jokic’s influence on his growth as a player and leader.
“That guy right there, man, that’s where I learned to be selfless,” Gordon said. “He’s the best basketball player in the world.”
Despite some late-game nerves and a nearly squandered lead, the Nuggets found a way to survive — and thrive. With the series now tied, both teams will return to Denver for a pivotal Game 5 on Tuesday night.
The drama is just getting started — and thanks to Jokic, the Nuggets are carrying a little bit of EuroLeague magic into the heart of the NBA playoffs.
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