Nikola Jokic Amazes with Jaw-Dropping 39-Foot Buzzer-Beater Against Warriors in a thrilling Thursday night matchup at the Chase Center.
Nikola Jokic delivered a stunning performance, sinking a 39-foot buzzer-beater to secure a 130-127 victory for the Denver Nuggets over the Golden State Warriors.
Jokic’s heroics were instrumental in the Nuggets’ comeback from an 18-point deficit, culminating in an impressive 25-4 run to close out the game. The two-time Kia MVP concluded the night with an outstanding stat line of 34 points (13-for-16 FGs), nine rebounds, and 10 assists.
Throughout much of the game, particularly in the second half, Stephen Curry and the Warriors seemed to have control. Golden State even established an 18-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. However, Jokic and his teammates mounted a resilient comeback, ultimately tying the game at 117-117 with a mere 3.6 seconds remaining.
In a crucial inbound play, Aaron Gordon initially looked to Jamal Murray as the primary option. However, Gordon had to pivot to his second choice, Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets’ center received the pass in the backcourt, dribbled up the court against Kevon Looney, and, with just under a second left, launched a 39-foot game-winning 3-pointer that banked in as the buzzer sounded.
Known for his calm demeanor on the court, Jokic couldn’t contain his emotions after the spectacular shot. The big man raised his arm, leaped into the air, and sprinted toward halfcourt as his teammates surrounded and celebrated with him.
While the victory was remarkable and marked a comeback from a significant deficit, it’s crucial to note that this was a regular-season game, and the stakes were tied.
Missing the shot would have led to overtime instead of a loss on the record. Nevertheless, the shot’s degree of difficulty, combined with the hostile road environment, adds to the significance of Jokic’s game-winning moment.
