Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Aaron Gordon was not going to let the Denver Nuggets head back home with the NBA Finals tied 2-2.
And on a night when Nikola Jokić was hobbled and Jamal Murray struggled from the field, Gordon took the charge on offense and had huge moments all night to lead the Nuggets to a 108-95 win at the Kaseya Center, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Miami Heat.
Gordon finished with a game-high 27 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and one steal on 11-of-15 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. It was his playoff career high in points.
He also did a great job on the defensive end once again as he helped slow down some of Miami’s offensive weapons. Denver held the Heat to under 100 points for the third time in the series.
It was really a complete team performance from the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed, getting huge contributions from other role players, namely Bruce Brown, who had 21 points in 30 minutes off the bench.
NBA Twitter showered praise all over Gordon for his incredible performance in Game 4, bringing his team within one win of an NBA title.
NBA @NBA
Aaron Gordon ON FIRE 🔥
He’s up to 25 PTS as Denver leads by 13 at the end of Q3 on ABC! pic.twitter.com/UwtWfNuwtm
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Aaron Gordon is PERFECT in the 2Q ‼️
He has 15 points and is 6/6 👏 pic.twitter.com/XUavkaVe0g
Safid Deen 💯💯💯💯 @Safid_Deen
Joker hurt his ankle, and has just taken 3s and let Aaron Gordon go to work in this second quarter #NBAFinals
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Aaron Gordon turned and stared down the Heat bench before that corner 3 even went through the net. He’s a perfect 3-3 from distance tonight. A game-high 25 points. Just a big-time performance.
iregretlikingsports @Jimmy2424555
Aaron Gordon carrying the Nuggets pic.twitter.com/BP7yu2DBaF
CP “The Fanchise” @CPTheFanchise
Can’t forget Aaron Gordon was once a #1 option. Sacrificed him game and fits like a glove with Jokic and Murray. Chemistry b/t these 3 is high level.
Complex Sports @ComplexSports
Aaron Gordon leading the Nuggets in scoring pic.twitter.com/GTrQgOHxGJ
Hardwood Paroxysm @HPbasketball
As much as the Heat have benefited from some wild shooting performances throughout the playoffs, getting hit with the Aaron Gordon 3-of-3 from 3 game is rough.
Joe Viray @JoeVirayNBA
Aaron Gordon to MPJ: “You’ll get your shooting back from the Monstars!”
The Monstar: pic.twitter.com/nKPYAQNGYv
Mike Cugno @MikeCugnoCBS4
Aaron Gordon leading all scorers with 25. New member of the random Heat killer club.
TomConni @thomas_conni
Aaron Gordon tonight: pic.twitter.com/7lZ87IsMLv
ENJ🏀Y @EnjoyBBall
25 points for Aaron Gordon already pic.twitter.com/1Fa80sxX2g
L @lariandone
AARON GORDON GOT THAT DOG IN HIM pic.twitter.com/zDiGMhpZC7
Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
Phenomenal game from him on both ends. https://t.co/2NorOiRsDC
Eric Freeman @freemaneric
Aaron Gordon guarded by Gabe Vincent pic.twitter.com/gTaygu8X6C
Turning his ankle early in the first quarter, Jokić wasn’t his typical self, even heading back to the locker room for a short stint. But he still put up 23 points to go along with 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks.
Just absolutely stuffing the stat sheet.
Jokić even found himself in some foul trouble thanks to a few questionable calls and went to the bench with a little over nine minutes remaining in the game with five fouls. From there, the role players took over and helped preserve the win.
Hoop Central @TheHoopCentral
Nikola Jokic is the 1st player in NBA History with 500 Points, 250 Rebounds, and 150 Assists in a single postseason
Generational talent. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Mng5Sze1WY
Kofie @Kofie
This is how Jokic sees the floor pic.twitter.com/plk5YJCwwj
Bam Adobobayo @Bam_Adobobayo
Jokic anytime he sees Cody Zeller about to check in pic.twitter.com/2Iwzq2mdSc
Tatiana @Tatianaclinares
NIKOLA JOKIC MY KING pic.twitter.com/6kY8TazfnW
Now, the Nuggets will have an opportunity to close the Heat out on their home floor and win the franchise’s first NBA championship at Ball Arena in Game 5.
Of course it won’t be easy. This Miami team has shown throughout the postseason that it won’t give in.
Game 5 is set for Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
