The Nuggets got the ball to Nikola Jokic, who took a Dirk Nowitzki-esque step-back fading three-pointer. It was off the mark, but forward Aaron Gordon, who worked his way into position for the offensive rebound, was able to catch Gordon's miss and slam it home for the win as time expired.

Aaron Gordon was a high school basketball get-out-of-jail-free card. His athleticism was stress medicine for trapped teammates. His dexterity, a mulligan for inaccurate passes. At Archbishop Mitty in the Bay Area,

Aaron Gordon’s dunk was the latest chapter in an increasingly dramatic first-round playoff series between the Nuggets and Clippers.