The Denver Nuggets had a big lead in Game 4, but the Los Angeles Clippers came all the way back to nearly win it at the end of regulation. The Clippers had big chances, especially after Nikola Jokic airballed a buzzer-beater.
Wait, nope, never mind. Aaron Gordon tipped it in, and the Nuggets won Game 4 with a stylish buzzer beater to even up the series 2-2.
Here’s the Notes from Game 4:
First Quarter:
- Strong start for Denver, including a contested three for Michael Porter Jr.
- Jamal Murray’s activity defensively was very notable, playing strong against James Harden and Kawhi Leonard
- Aaron Gordon stepping up big time in the first quarter once again
- Defense has been pretty good
- Vlatko Cancar and Jalen Pickett were the first substitutions. Not a great minute of play. No Watson in the quarter
- Jokic buzzer beater at the top of the key
Nuggets lead 27-22 after first quarter.
Second Quarter:
- Bench to start quarter couldn’t do anything
- Murray clearly overwhelmed by the athleticism and attention paid to him, not making shots he generates
- Clippers not taking advantage of Nuggets struggles enough, missing some open shots
- Jokic keeping pedal to the metal whenever he gets ball with opportunity to create a shot
- Powell continues to take exception to Nuggets players playing defense
- Braun take foul vs Harden, Harden takes exception, Gordon defends Braun, Harden tries to hit Gordon, chaos ensues as Gordon pursues, one tech for everyone involved and move on
Nuggets lead 50-48 at halftime.
Third Quarter:
- Nikola Jokic happened. 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one steal in this quarter alone
- Nuggets put the pressure on both ends of the floor. Clippers missed some open threes, but Nuggets also amped things up
- Harden and Leonard appeared bothered, and the key shots Nicolas Batum and Kris Dunn were hitting in the first three games, they missed here
- Ivica Zubac also missing around the crowded paint
- Nuggets scored on eight of nine final possessions in quarter to push the lead to 20
Nuggets lead 85-65 after third quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
- Jokic starts fourth next to three other starters. Watson in for Jamal Murray
- Nuggets scored 2 points in first three minutes, Clippers kept chipping away
- Denver dodging bullets with some open threes given up, this time to Derrick Jones Jr.
- Murray struggling mightily, loses ball at halfcourt to Kawhi Leonard, Nuggets slowly losing lead
- Four Nuggets turnovers in 3 minute span, Clippers scoring on every possession
- Jokic goes 1/2 from free throw in clutch, then hits an absurd Sombor Shuffle on next possession
- Zubac tips in a missed Harden floater to tie the game with eight seconds
- Jokic goes to a deeper Sombor Shuffle, misses everything, but Aaron Gordon dunks it in what can only be described as the closest buzzer beater in NBA history
Nuggets win 101-99 vs Clippers.
AARON GORDON DUNK AT THE BUZZER FOR THE NUGGETS WIN!!! 🚨🚨
ONE OF THE CRAZIER ENDINGS YOU’LL SEE 🤯😱#TissotBuzzerBeater#YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness pic.twitter.com/BVdHdAEP1Q
— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2025
Short Takeaway
There are moments, and then there are moments. That Aaron Gordon tip-in dunk counts as the latter.
The Nuggets were up. They did the hard work in this game. All they had to do was stay above water in the fourth quarter, but it’s pretty clear that Denver ran out of gas and was simply looking to hang on for dear life. Credit to the Clippers for fighting back and making it a game. They didn’t have to, but they earned the right for that game to be close at the end.
Then, Aaron Gordon said enough was enough. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a closer bang-bang play in the instant replay era. Jokic missed it so badly that it was even possible. If Jokic gets it over the rim, that’s a goaltend. Gordon was in the perfect spot though, and working hard tends to have rewards down the line that you never know are there. This was Gordon’s first truly individual playoff moment, and he deserves the sunshine.
The Nuggets are now tied 2-2 in this series. It still feels like the Clippers have the upper hand, but who knows? Maybe the Nuggets can win Game 5 and put all the pressure back on LA again. From where the Nuggets were before Game 4 to where they are now, it feels like Denver has some new life.
We will see if they can take advantage. For now? Enjoy that incredible win.
Final Rotations
