Overview

• The Denver Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 in Game 1, overcoming a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit.
• Nikola Jokic delivered a dominant performance with 42 points and 22 rebounds, solidifying his status as a playoff force.
• Aaron Gordon's buzzer-beating three-pointer, assisted by Russell Westbrook, sealed Denver's victory in the final seconds.
• The Thunder, the top seed in the West, must win Game 2 to avoid a 0-2 series hole before heading to Denver for Games 3 and 4.
• Despite the Game 1 loss, Oklahoma City remains an 11.5-point favorite for Game 2, with analysts highlighting rebounding and free-throw issues as areas to address.