The Denver Nuggets were handed a brutal 149-106 loss by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. Speaking to the media after the game, forward Aaron Gordon didn’t sugarcoat the performance or blame external factors.
As reported by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Gordon emphasized that the blowout loss was on the team—not the officials.
“When you get smoked by 40, it’s not the referees, it’s not the officiating,” Gordon said. “So we got to forget about that in the first place. We just need to continue to execute. Be sharp. Be strong.”
Coming off a game-winning performance in Game 1, Gordon had a relatively quiet night in Game 2, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, and one assist.
Meanwhile, the Thunder came out firing. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 34 points and eight assists, shooting an efficient 11-of-13 from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 from the free-throw line. Oklahoma City set a playoff record by scoring 87 points in the first half—the most ever in a postseason half—surpassing the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2017 mark against the Golden State Warriors.
Denver’s MVP center Nikola Jokic also struggled to impose himself on the game, scoring 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds before fouling out late in the third quarter.
Gordon Defends Jokic Amid Physical Play
Gordon also spoke out about the officiating around Jokic, suggesting that the physicality against the Serbian star wasn’t being called fairly.
“If they’re going to let [the Thunder] push him, shove him, two-hand him, root him out, hit him with elbows—that’s not necessarily legal,” Gordon said. “Jok’s got to play through it, but they’re fouling the guy. Point blank, period. They’re calling the second foul almost every time. They foul him first, Jok reacts, and that’s what they call.”
With the series now tied 1-1, the Nuggets will look to regroup at home. Game 3 tips off Friday night at Ball Arena in Denver at 9:00 p.m. ET.