Aaron Gordon, while relaxing in the Denver Nuggets’ locker room with ice on his knees, caught a glimpse of his face on the screen, as ABC confirmed he had achieved the first buzzer-beating dunk in playoff history.

“That’s crazy,” Gordon expressed with a smile.
Earlier, during Game 4 of the Nuggets’ playoff series against the LA Clippers, Gordon made a crucial two-handed dunk as the clock hit 0.0, securing a tied score of 99-99. His celebration included racing toward the tunnel with a raised arm as he leaped with joy.
The officials reviewed the dunk to determine if Gordon released the ball in time. Despite Nikola Jokic’s skepticism as he sat on the bench, Gordon maintained confidence in the referees’ decision.
“Oh, I knew,” Gordon remarked when asked about his certainty.
Although the nail-biter saw the Nuggets almost squander a 22-point lead, Gordon’s remarkable act brought them back even in the series at 2-2. After a challenging season marked by the loss of his brother in a car crash, along with numerous calf injuries, this moment was one of sheer joy for Gordon.
Nuggets’ interim coach David Adelman, who has observed Gordon evolve throughout his 11 seasons, noted, “He is one of those championship pieces. He always has been since he joined us.”
Emphasizing his selflessness, Gordon humorously referenced Jokic’s airball, saying, “Nice pass,” during a postgame conference. Jokic, the three-time MVP, admitted it was not intended as a pass.
Despite the spotlight being on Gordon after his iconic dunk, he acknowledged the contributions of his teammates, underscoring the importance of teamwork.
The thrilling series against the Clippers has seen tight scores, with memorable moments like a technical foul skirmish involving multiple players. Despite the drama, Gordon stood firm, defending his teammate with conviction.
With all starters contributing significantly, Jokic led with 36 points, while Gordon added 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists, marking this game as pivotal in their pursuit of another NBA championship.