Nikola Jokić’s and The Nuggets Steal Game 1 vs Thunder

Nikola Jokić’s had an exceptional performance on May 5, 2025, where he recorded 42 points, 22 rebounds, and 6 assists, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 121-119 comeback victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, showcasing his dominance as a center and reinforcing his MVP candidacy.

Jokić’s stats are historically significant; his 42-22-6 line makes him one of only a few players to achieve such a stat line in playoff history, and his efficiency rating of 32.04 this season ranks as the fourth-highest in NBA history, per ESPN data, underlining his unique impact as a playmaking big man.

The post also captures the Nuggets’ fourth-quarter rally, driven by Jokić’s 18 points in that period, and Aaron Gordon’s game-winning 3-pointer, marking Gordon’s second clutch playoff shot this postseason, a testament to his improved shooting after dedicated training.