Nikola Jokić’s Immediate Response to Nuggets’ Victory Over Thunder in Game 1

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated May 6, 2025 1:37 AM ET

After trailing by a sizable margin for much of the second half of Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals versus the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, the Denver Nuggets stormed back.

They were down 115-106 with three minutes left in the fourth quarter when Nikola Jokic led a comeback. That comeback resulted in a 121-119 win that stunned a Thunder team that won 68 games during the regular season.

Jokic ended the night with 42 points, 22 rebounds and six assists. He gave a simple message after the end of the contest.

“The team wants me to be aggressive and I’m trying to help the team win the game,” he said.

Nikola Jokić after his 42/22 night: “the team wants me to be aggressive and I’m trying to help the team win the game.” pic.twitter.com/inWPZoWafZ
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) May 6, 2025

Once the Nuggets were down 115-106, they scored eight unanswered points, seven of which came from Jokic, to make this a tight contest in crunch time.

With 13 seconds left, Jokic made two free throws to bring them to within one point again. They then gave up an open lane to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who drove for a dunk, before forward Aaron Gordon made two free throws.

Denver then fouled Thunder big man Chet Holmgren with 10 seconds left, and he gave Denver a big gift by missing both foul shots. Gordon then hit the game-winning 3-pointer off a pass from Russell Westbrook.

Jokic became only the third player to average a triple-double during the regular season (Westbrook became the second eight years ago). If Gilgeous-Alexander doesn't win the league MVP award, many expect it to go to Jokic.

Of course, both men would undoubtedly rather end up with the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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