After winning Game 4 to even the series, Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon showcase the Nuggets’ camaraderie.
After winning Game 4 to even the series, Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon showcase the Nuggets’ camaraderie.
The Denver Nuggets have come back from the dead. Written off by many after the Minnesota Timberwolves ran out in dominant fashion to a 2-0 series lead in their second-round matchup in the 2024 NBA playoffs, the Nuggets showed why they are the reigning champion.
Led by Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, who scored 35 and 27 points, respectively, the Nuggets held off a late charge from the Timberwolves to take a 115-107 victory in Game 4 to even up the series at 2-2.
The Timberwolves have boasted the league’s best defense all season long. And yet there the Nuggets were, carving up their defense in Game 4 to the tune of 57 percent shooting from the field. It’s a testament to how otherworldly of a force Jokic is on that end of the floor that it ends up rallying his teammates, particularly Gordon, to pour out everything they have on the court in the name of a victory.
That guy (Jokic), you know, that’s where I got my selflessness from. He taught it to me. During his postgame press conference, Gordon declared, “He’s the best basketball player in the world,” grinning broadly, as reported by the official NBA Twitter (X) account via ClutchPoints Twitter (X). “If a three-time MVP can accomplish it, so can I.”
Aaron Gordon has typified what it means to be the best at one’s role ever since the Nuggets brought him in via trade in 2021. Gordon has given up on nearly all shot-creation duties, instead embracing the dirty work of cutting with purpose, taking whatever the defenses gives him, and moving the ball along to the open man.
Almost always throughout league history, the identity of a powerhouse team follows that of their best player’s. For the Nuggets, there is selfless permeating through everyone thanks to the embodiment of basketball selflessness himself.
I believe that playing team basketball is fun, infectious, and something that everyone wants to do. That’s the finest way to play basketball, in my opinion,” Jokic continued.