Nuggets star Aaron Gordon’s ‘sick’ reaction to Game 4 moment that helped spell Timberwolves downfall

The Denver Nuggets are right back in this! After squandering their home-court advantage against the Minnesota Timberwolves, many pronounced the defending champions dead. That’s what happens when you get blown out when the other team doesn’t have their DPOY winner, after all. However, the last two games have shown that you can never truly count out the champions.

With their backs against the wall, the Nuggets decided to lock in. A convincing Game 3 win sent a resounding message across the league: “We are not finished yet”. They followed that up with a resounding Game 4 dub. The hero of Game 4 was Aaron Gordon, who finished with 27 points on a near-perfect 11-for-12 from the field.

There was a pivotal moment during the game that seemed to signal the end for the Timberwolves. An eight-point flurry from the Nuggets to end the half seemed to be the early dagger for the team. That run was punctuated by a Jamal Murray buzzer-beater from half-court. Gordon commented on that mini-run and was amazed by that little run, per Vic Lombardi.

“AG on his team (Nuggets) scoring 8 points in the final 20 seconds of the first half: “That was sick. I mean that shot by Jamal. Just siiiick.””

After an early storm from the Timberwolves, the Nuggets fought back and wrestled control. It was a back and forth affair, with Denver holding a slight edge. However, that last-second run at the end of the first half seemed to swing the momentum fully into Denver’s favor. From there, Denver cruised to a relatively easy win.

Aside from Gordon, Nikola Jokic played a massive hand in the win. The reigning MVP dropped 35 points as well as seven rebounds and assists in the winning effort. That win essentially reset the season and gave back homecourt advantage to the Nuggets.

Nuggets taking back control

The Nuggets got ambushed by the Timberwolves in Games 1 and 2 of the series. Still feeling the high from sweep of the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota took advantage of a sleepwalking Denver team and took an early 2-0 lead. The way they did too was incredible: the vaunted Jokic-led offense could not score more than 100 points against Minnesota’s defense. In Game 2, they could only muster up 80 points!

While a sweep prediction was still outlandish, many felt that the Timberwolves already had the clear upper hand. All they needed was another win in front of their fans, and they’ll get series point. How hard could it be?

Well, the Nuggets certainly didn’t make it easy. With their backs against the wall, Denver fought like hell to regain homecourt advantage. After blowing out the Timberwolves in Game 4, they had to stave off a feisty Minnesota team. Anthony Edwards was doing everything in his power to give Minnesota the win, scoring 44 points in the losing effort.

In the end, the Nuggets got contributions from players other than Jokic. Aside from Gordon’s near-perfect game, Jamal Murray also chipped in 19 points. Denver now has full control of the series, as two of the last three games will be played at home (including a potential Game 7). Can they continue to ride this hot streak into the Western Conference Finals.