Aaron Gordon didn’t hold back his frustration during Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Denver Nuggets forward lashed out at officials after a controversial foul call involving Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Aaron Gordon vents at referee after questionable call
The tension peaked in the second half when Nikola Jokic was called for an offensive foul after his arm made contact with Gilgeous-Alexander’s face during a screen attempt. Gordon, visibly upset, confronted referee Josh Tiven with strong language.“He fouled me four times,” Aaron Gordon said. “Get him the f— off me.” The exchange highlighted the high stakes of the elimination game, with both teams fighting for a spot in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Aaron Gordon plays through hamstring injury
Despite suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain earlier in the series, Aaron Gordon suited up for Game 7. His limited mobility was noticeable, but his presence on the court underscored Denver’s desperation to keep their season alive. The Nuggets started strong but struggled to maintain momentum as the Thunder’s defense tightened. Oklahoma City’s balanced attack and depth proved difficult to counter, especially with key Nuggets players battling injuries.
Denver Nuggets’ supporting cast struggles
Michael Porter Jr. continued to underperform due to a lingering shoulder injury, missing multiple shots. Jamal Murray, still recovering from an illness, lacked his usual explosiveness. Jokic remained Denver’s most consistent player, but the Thunder’s swarming defense made it tough for him to carry the team alone. As the game slipped away, frustrations boiled over—culminating in Gordon’s outburst. With the season on the line, the Nuggets couldn’t overcome their injuries or Oklahoma City’s surge. The Thunder now advance to face the Timberwolves, while Denver heads into an offseason filled with questions about health and roster adjustments.
Nuggets vs Thunder Game 7 overview
The Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Denver Nuggets in Game 7, winning 125-93 to advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time in a decade. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points, while Jalen Williams added 24. The Thunder’s defense was outstanding, holding Denver to just 39.3% shooting and forcing 21 turnovers, which they converted into 32 points. Alex Caruso played a pivotal role defensively, especially against Nikola Jokić, who was limited to 20 points on just five made field goals and committed five turnovers.Also read: Magic Ready to Gamble It All: $228 Million Milwaukee Bucks Superstar on Orlando’s RadarDenver struggled from the start, missing key corner threes and feeling the impact of Aaron Gordon’s limited mobility due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Gordon managed eight points and 11 rebounds, but could not provide his usual energy. The Thunder’s relentless pressure and balanced offense quickly built a double-digit lead by halftime, and they never looked back, ending the Nuggets’ season and setting up a conference finals matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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