NBA: Jokic’s mid-court bomb wins the game in 3.6 seconds and Curry’s stunned reaction

A release of Nikola Jokić almost from midfield and at the final siren they gave definitive shape to a remarkable comeback Denver Nuggetscurrent NBA champion, who destroyed an 18-point deficit in the final seven minutes of play Thursday and defeated 130-127 Warriors of the Golden State.

After a timeout that the Nuggets coach, Michael Malonerequested when only 3.6 seconds remained and the duel was tied at 127, Jokic received the ball on the Denver court, crossed the field diagonally paired with Kevon Looney and, pressured from the sideline, by the clock and his score , sent a very high shot into the net which, after hitting the backboard, crossed the home basket and the hearts of the Warriors fans.

“For us it was an excellent comeback. “That’s one of the best descriptions of our team: We never give up,” Jokic said after the game. “Great players make great plays. Nikola catching the ball there and making something happen from that point on is just incredible,” Malone said after his men went on a 25-4 run late in the game.

Jokic was one step away from a triple double with 34 points (he made 13 of his 16 field goals), 9 rebounds and 10 assists. The Serbian was well supported by Aaron Gordon, fundamental in the last quarter, who contributed 30 points and 9 rebounds, while Jamal Murray added 25 points and 6 assists.

The Nuggets, who have a record of 25 wins and 11 losses, have won six straight games away from their home stadium and, after withstanding a devastating 44-24 run in the third quarter, responded with tremendous defense in the final period and a 36 – 20 to certify the victory.

“You have to give them credit because they stepped up their defense. I’m sorry for my guys, it’s a really tough defeat,” acknowledged Steve Kerr, coach of the Warriors, who have a 16-18 record and have accumulated six consecutive defeats against the Nuggets in the regular season.

The Warriors started the game very well, with excellent ball circulation, a quick 10-point lead, and a sense that their offense flowed easily. But Jokic also started to get involved. The Serbian giant scored 15 points in a brilliant first quarter, going 7 of 8 from the field, and the Nuggets closed the period at 34-33.

In a match that continues in an attack against attack plan, the Nuggets begin to build a light with the great work of Jokic, but also with goals from Murray (13 points in the second quarter) and Gordon. The Californians responded with three three-pointers from Thompson, who prevented the Nuggets from accumulating too much of a lead at halftime (70-63) despite their superb 61.7% shooting from the field in the first half.

Upon returning from the locker room, Jokic brought the lead to 10 with a triple, but the Warriors also showed character on the restart and came closer, with intensity and concentration, until they took the lead with a basket after an offensive rebound by Andrew Wiggins . Curry extended the home lead shortly after with a 3-pointer (94-88 with 4.12 left).

With a weak defense, the Nuggets were unable to alter the pace of Golden State, which accelerated in that third quarter with a landslide 44-24. Curry added 10 points in that period, although the surprise guest of the San Francisco team was Brandin Podziemski, with three triples that drove the crowd crazy.

The locals started the final quarter with a 13-point lead (107-94) and it seemed that the duel was resolved when Curry scored 5 points in a row and Podziemski stole a ball and sealed a basket to close the gap to 18 with 7.24 left for the final (121-103). But that’s when the Warriors’ fuel ran out.

With Denver pushing much more on defense, Gordon showed enormous physical superiority in the painted zone (15 points in the fourth quarter), Peyton Watson also collaborated and Jokic began to prepare something very special for the final stretch. The center served alley-oop for Gordon who left his team only 2 points and Chris Paul missed a triple in the middle of an absolutely deserted Warriors attack.

Jokic tied the game with 26 seconds left and Curry committed a passing error on the final play, which paved the way for the Balkan giant to touch the NBA sky with a memorable three-pointer.