(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Aaron Gordon hit a 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 Monday to steal Game 1 of their West semifinal series.

Denver finished the game on a 19-6 run after being behind for most of the night, but it was Nikola Jokić who would not let the Nuggets stop. Jokić had 42 points on 15-of-29 shooting, 22 rebounds and six assists and powered Denver’s rally down the stretch.

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With the Thunder nursing a 119-118 lead with 11 seconds remaining after a pair Gordon free throws, Chet Holmgren was fouled and stepped to the line to increase Oklahoma City’s lead. But he missed both free throws to leave the door open for Denver.

The Nuggets’ Christian Braun grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball to Russell Westbrook, who whipped a pass to Gordon on the left wing. Gordon calmly hit his second game-winner of the playoffs after his buzzer-beating dunk to beat the L.A. Clippers in Game 4 of the first round.