Nuggets F Aaron Gordon’s nephews steal show after Game 1 heroics vs. Thunder

The two children are the sons of Gordon’s older brother, Drew Gordon, who tragically passed in a car accident in 2024. Since his brother’s death, Aaron Gordon has taken a crucial father-like role in his nephews’ lives.

The game-winning play came on the final fastbreak of the game after a Chet Holmgren missed free throw. With Denver down by a point, Christian Braun pushed the ball ahead to Russell Westbrook, who found Gordon on the left wing for a pull-up three-pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining.

Though not known as an elite scorer, Gordon did more than just hit the game-winning three-pointer. He ended as the Nuggets’ second-leading scorer with a monstrous 22-point, 14-rebound double-double. Gordon finished with a team-high plus-minus of plus-16.

Aaron Gordon hits Nuggets’ second game-winner of 2025 playoffs

Playing with Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., Gordon is, at best, the Nuggets’ fourth-best scorer on any given night. However, he has been their most clutch bucket-getter in the postseason. The game-winner against the Thunder was Gordon’s second of the 2025 playoffs after notching one in Game 4 of Denver’s first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Gordon’s first game-winner against the Clippers was a tip dunk off a missed fadeaway three-pointer from Jokic. The timing on that play was impressive, but his pull-up three against the Thunder was even more eye-opening. While he hit a career-best 43.6 percent of his threes in the regular season, Gordon is just a career 33.1 percent shooter from deep.

After stealing home-court advantage, Gordon and the Nuggets remain on the road for Game 2. The Thunder seek revenge on Wednesday, where the series’ second installment tips off at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT and MAX.