Jamal Murray made a shot in 2024.

Aaron Gordon made a shot in 2025.

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault echoed the memorable line from Anthony Davis after Game 2 of Round 1, where Murray hit a buzzer-beater at Ball Arena to top the Lakers.

Just like last year’s playoffs, where Murray hit two game-winners, it was Gordon’s turn for a second winner this year.

On Monday, it was Gordon from the left wing off a pass from Russell Westbrook as Denver flipped the count with three seconds left, thanks to some missed free throws by Chet Holmgren.

After the game, Daigneault said almost exactly what Davis said a year ago, “Gordon made a shot.”

Mark Daigneault tonight “Gordon made a shot”

Anthony Davis last year “Jamal Murray made a shot” pic.twitter.com/3ubqfjNoOv

— 24K (@GoldRush5280) May 6, 2025

The Nuggets won that series against the Lakers in five games. This Thunder matchup should be a lot tougher. But after stealing one game in the series, it feels like anything is possible for Denver. And it’s because of AG’s heroics that the Nuggets are here, saving them in Game 4 against the Clippers with a tip dunk then hitting a massive shot to start the second-round series.

“Aaron is going to be a hero again,” Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman said. “But I’m also looking at 14 rebounds. I’m looking at 22 points. I’m looking at ball handling, responsibilities, leadership. He is a Denver Nugget man, like he is the soul of our team. So cool to see him. Have two moments that no one will ever forget.”

Gordon scored 22 points and had 14 rebounds on the night, hitting three triples, including the one everyone will always remember.

“So when you have that, and you’re just communicating about trying to win a game, and not all the other crap that can go on,” Adelman said. “You give yourself a chance, and we did. The ball bounced our way, we got an opportunity, and Aaron knocked it down.”

“He deserves it. He is the soul of the team,” Nikola Jokic said after the game about Gordon’s game-winner, a contest he recorded a historic 42-point, 22-rebound, 6-assist performance.

Gordon might not be known as a shooter but this season he shot 14.6% better from three-point range and 15.2% better from the free throw line than he did in 2023-24. He’s the first player in NBA history to improve by at least 10% in both categories in a single season.

“Worked on it this summer a lot,” Gordon said about his shooting. “To have it all culminate in a game winner. It really comes down to my teammates like Russ, making a great play and finding me in transition and in rhythm on time, on target. So helps when you have a Hall of Fame passer passing to you. But you we just didn’t want to miss the moment. We didn’t want to miss the opportunity. We knew if we waited, it might be too late. So I’m glad we showed our medal.”