‘Aaron did it all for us tonight’: Gordon key to Nuggets taking 3-1 series lead over Heat

In a must-win game for the Miami Heat on Friday night at the Kaseya Center, the Denver Nuggets stumped the Heat’s chances of tying the series after handing them a 108-95 loss in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

And Aaron Gordon was a crucial reason the Nuggets took a 3-1 series lead, and left Jimmy Butler and Co. with more work on their hands as they head back to Denver.

While Gordon is usually Denver’s unsung hero, he recorded 27 points, making 11 of 15 field goals, three of four 3-pointers, and two of three free throws.

“I thought Aaron Gordon was huge all night long,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said after the game. “Aaron did it all for us tonight. He really did. We’ve seen that now we’re four games in the finals where Aaron has had moments where he has carried us offensively. I couldn’t be more proud of Aaron Gordon and his impact across the board tonight.”

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic showed his appreciation for his teammate.

“He’s playing a different role and that’s why he sacrifices himself and that’s why he’s a great teammate,” Jokic said after the game. “Guarding the best player every night, that’s not a tough job and [he] may not get a lot of credit… We are thankful for him.”

Jokic amassed 23 points, making eight of 19 field goals, three of his seven 3-pointers, and all four of his free throws. Gordon and Jokic both combined for 50 points.

In the first quarter, Jokic appeared to twist his right ankle after landing awkwardly on Heat guard Max Strus’ foot while attempting to rebound his own shot.

“As far as Nikola and the ankle, he’s tough, man,” Malone said. “I could tell that he was fine. He just had to kind of keep it loose and don’t allow it to get stiff, but he’s resilient [and] he’s tough.”

Jokic made his way to the locker room after the first quarter with his ankle re-taped and returned into the game with 7:50 left in the second quarter.

Miami has been known for its fourth quarter comebacks, and their chances of winning slightly increased as Jokic headed to the bench at the 9:23 mark of the fourth quarter as he picked up his fifth foul with the Heat only trailing by eight points.

“Maybe our offense may not be as beautiful as it is with Nikola,” Malone said, “but the five guys that are out there are defending. That’s the key to that group playing well and being able to get back in the game.”

Nuggets Bruce Brown was also a key factor in the Nuggets win. He came off the bench and scored 21 points, making eight of 11 of his field goals, three of his five 3-point attempts, and two out of three of his free throws.

“We’ve played without Jokic,” Brown said. “He sat out for games earlier in the year and then we knew they were trying to get the ball out of Jamal’s hands, so for me, I knew it was my time to be aggressive and try to make plays, get to the rim, and if I don’t have a shot [then] find my teammate.”