Oh, you thought the Nuggets were dead in the water? That the Thunder were gonna cruise through Game 1 like it was just a light jog through Bricktown? Nah. Aaron Gordon had other plans—and he brought a plot twist so nasty it might need an ESPN 30 for 30 soon. Let’s set the stage.

Denver’s riding into OKC just 48 hours after surviving a war with the Clippers, their head coach has been yeeted mid-playoffs (Michael Malone, RIP your headset-throwing days), and David Adelman—now officially holding the “interim” tag like it’s a last-minute concert ticket—has the clipboard. The Thunder? Well-rested, well-coached, and up double digits more times than AG’s had hairstyles. So, how did Denver steal Game 1, 121-119?

One name. Aaron Gordon.

Forget what you thought you knew about the 29-year-old. This ain’t the “just dunk” version of him. This is 22 points, 14 rebounds, ball-handling, leadership, corner-3 game-winner with 2.8 seconds left AG. And don’t take our word for it—David Adelman, standing tall (probably exhausted but smiling), spelled it out post-game like a proud dad after watching his kid finally fold the laundry. “He is a Denver Nugget, man. He is the soul of our team.”

That’s not coach-speak. That’s church. Adelman even geeked out over Gordon’s jumper: “There’s almost no hitch now. His knees release when his elbow does. All the things they tell you when you’re 10 years old at camp.” The man’s shooting mechanics are now so smooth, Steph might start checking his rearview mirror.

That corner three? A year ago, people would’ve screamed “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” before it hit back iron. Now? It’s cash. It’s Gordon’s second game-winner this postseason—the first was that last-second putback dunk on the Clippers.

And Adelman wasn’t done: “You put that man in the corner, he wants to cut baseline. He’s a weapon.” A weapon. Like a multi-tool. Need defense? He’s got you. Need rebounding? Say no more. Need a game-winner in enemy territory? Hand him the ball.

Again: 22 points, 14 rebounds, cool under pressure, unshaken by a crowd louder than your auntie’s karaoke machine. We’re talking about a dude who took Russell Westbrook’s pass and nailed the shot! That’s cinematic-level stuff. Now, while the Nuggets were celebrating, they definitely had to exhale like, “Phew. We barely got out of that alive.” Why? Also, one name.

Meanwhile… the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Problem Is Still a Problem

Because SGA? That man is operating like the basketball version of John Wick—no emotion, just buckets. 33 points, 10 boards, 8 dimes, 2 steals, and a block. That’s not a box score. That’s an elite resume. Even Jamal Crawford had to throw in the towel and tweet: “SGA IS the MVP … but Joker IS the best player in the world.”

Which, yeah. Let’s pause for a sec and appreciate what Nikola Jokic did: 42 points, 22 rebounds, 6 assists, and just enough “I swear I wasn’t even trying” expressions to make it look casual. He also picked up his fifth foul after elbowing Lu Dort, then just never fouled again. Peak Jokic. But back to Shai.

The Nuggets still don’t have an answer for him. Dort and Caruso were hitting tough shots too, and Adelman knows it: “Yes, we can do a better job of helping out on Shai, Jalen… but sometimes, just like with us, you have to let somebody shoot the ball.”

Adelman did say the team could tighten up rotations, improve contests, and get better after watching film, which is great. But you don’t need film to see Shai’s in his bag. You need prayer.

Oklahoma City led 113-102 with 4:31 left. Then it was like the Thunder collectively hit a lag spike. Holmgren missed two clutch free throws. Thunder fouled intentionally late, and Denver made all four freebies like they were being graded on it. Even Thunder coach Mark Daigneault had to admit, “We’ll continue to look at it and learn,” which is coach code for, “What just happened?”

Also… Russell Westbrook. In his first playoff game back in OKC as a visitor, he didn’t just exist—he delivered the assist for Gordon’s game-winner. You can’t script that stuff.

Meanwhile, Jamal Murray added 21 points, quietly doing his thing like your one responsible friend who brings water to the party.

Game 1 was a masterpiece in chaos and clutch. The Nuggets stole it. Aaron Gordon sealed it. David Adelman confirmed the transformation. And Nikola Jokic reminded everyone that while Shai might win MVP, the best player in the world is still in Denver—probably somewhere eating a sandwich and not realizing he just made history.

But let’s not forget: the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander issue? Very much still active. And if Denver doesn’t find an antidote soon, they might need Aaron Gordon to go full Super Saiyan again. Game 2? Buckle up. We’re in for a spicy one.