Ball Arena shook Monday night as the Nuggets wiped out a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit, then outlasted the Portland Trail Blazers 137-132 in overtime. Nikola Jokic delivered a monster all-around performance, and Aaron Gordon knocked down the late shots that swung the game. The victory bumped Denver up the Western Conference ladder with the playoffs less than two weeks away.
ESPN's box score shows Jokic finishing with 35 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, while Gordon added 23 points to fuel the comeback. Multiple role players helped flip the momentum late, pushing Denver level and into extra time, according to ESPN. The win improved the Nuggets' record to 51-28 and stretched their winning streak to nine games.
Gordon's late surge and Denver's rally
As reported by The Denver Post, Gordon drilled a game-tying three-pointer with about 1:13 left in regulation and then buried the go-ahead jumper with 26.8 seconds remaining. The Associated Press also noted Denver had trailed by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter before mounting the comeback. Those plays set up overtime, the Nuggets controlled behind Jokic's playmaking and strong finishes at the rim.
Playoff picture
Per the NBA's official game summary, the win moved Denver into the West's No. 3 spot and confirmed a 51-28 record as the regular season winds down. NBA.com shows the Nuggets riding a nine-game surge that cranks up the pressure on teams jockeying for seeding. The result tightens the race behind top-seeded Oklahoma City and reshapes the first-round matchups that could be waiting.
What's next
Denver now pivots to a Wednesday night home date with the Memphis Grizzlies, a game that doubles as a shot at a 10th straight win. SeatGeek and the NBA calendar list Memphis at Ball Arena on Wednesday, giving the Nuggets a quick chance to stack even more momentum before the postseason. How Denver handles this closing stretch will go a long way in shaping its opening-round opponent.
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