Official Announcement! Did Gordon's Shot Violate the Deadline? Has Denver Shown Its Full Hand?

The NBA playoffs are often defined by their drama, and this series between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers has been no exception. Game 4 of the first-round matchup provided a roller-coaster of emotions and ended with one of the most debated moments of the postseason: Aaron Gordon’s game-winning buzzer-beater, a play that is now etched in the annals of playoff history. Did he release the ball in time, or was it a split-second too late? The official ruling is in, but as with most controversial calls, the debate rages on. Let’s break down not only the crucial moment but also the larger implications for both teams as this series has reached a critical juncture.

In Game 4, the Nuggets managed to hold on and win 101-99, evening the series at 2-2 after a thrilling, back-and-forth battle. But the real drama came in the final seconds. With the Nuggets up by 1 point, Nikola Jokic had missed a potential game-winner, and the Clippers had the chance to complete a miraculous comeback after trailing by as much as 22 points earlier in the game. The tension was palpable. As the seconds ticked away, Gordon’s put-back attempt at the buzzer was the difference-maker, but the question remains: was the shot released before the lights came on?

The sequence leading to the game-winning play was nothing short of spectacular. With just a few seconds remaining, the ball went through Jokic’s hands before he missed a jump shot. The rebound came to Gordon, who leaped into the air and sent the ball through the basket. The arena exploded as the buzzer sounded, but almost immediately, fans and analysts alike began to scrutinize the timing of the shot. The key question was whether the ball left Gordon's hands before the LED lights flashed, signaling the end of regulation.

NBA officials quickly released footage from a unique angle, showing that, at the exact moment the lights illuminated, Gordon's fingertips had indeed left the ball. This cleared the shot, confirming it as a legitimate game-winner. However, despite the ruling, many fans and pundits have questioned whether the ball was actually out of Gordon’s hands in time, pointing to the brief moment where his hand seemed to still be in contact with the ball as the lights came on. For now, though, the decision stands: Gordon’s buzzer-beater counts.

While the debate over the buzzer-beater will likely dominate the headlines, it doesn’t overshadow the broader implications of the game and the series. Game 4 wasn’t just about one shot—it was a microcosm of the larger storyline of this series, where both teams have shown flashes of brilliance but also glaring weaknesses.

The Nuggets’ strategy in Game 4 was clear: ride their core group of players as much as possible. The starting five—Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Bruce Brown—played 42 minutes or more each, with the bench contributing very little. Only DeAndre Jordan and Christian Braun saw more than a handful of minutes, with the others barely making a dent in the box score. The Nuggets essentially put their best foot forward, relying on their strongest lineup to get the job done. This strategy has worked so far, but it raises significant concerns about their ability to sustain this approach over the long haul.

While Denver's starting five was dominant for much of the game, there were clear signs of fatigue as the game wore on, particularly in the fourth quarter. The team’s shooting percentage plummeted as the minutes piled up, and the fast-break opportunities dried up. Despite Jokic’s heroics and Gordon’s clutch put-back, the Nuggets struggled to score early in the final period, adding just 11 points in the first 10 minutes of the fourth. This dip in offensive production highlights a serious issue for Denver: if their starters are overexerted and the bench isn’t stepping up, they risk burning out before the series reaches its conclusion.

If the Nuggets continue to lean on a six-man rotation, the question becomes: how long can they keep this up? With Porter already dealing with a shoulder injury and Murray no stranger to lingering aches, the burden on Jokic, Gordon, and the rest is becoming unsustainable. If they can't find ways to rest their key players, it’s hard to imagine them having the stamina to advance far in the postseason, especially against a well-rested team like the Clippers, who have their own weaponry at full strength.

Speaking of the Clippers, their fourth-quarter surge was nothing short of spectacular. After trailing by 22 points in the early stages of the final period, they mounted a 30-9 run, with Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac leading the charge. The comeback was led by Leonard’s offensive prowess and Harden’s ability to hit timely shots, with Powell adding a steady scoring presence. For a moment, it looked like the Clippers might snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and for a brief period, they even took their first lead of the game, 97-96, following a crucial offensive rebound by Bogdan Bogdanovic and a put-back.

However, despite the heroic comeback, the Clippers couldn't finish the job. Leonard missed a key three-pointer, Harden missed a layup, and Zubac’s put-back came just a fraction too late to avoid the buzzer-beater. It was a gut-wrenching loss for the Clippers, especially considering the way they battled back. In some ways, their fourth-quarter performance only heightened the disappointment that they couldn’t seal the deal.

From a strategic standpoint, the Clippers need to find more consistent production from their stars earlier in the game. Harden and Leonard were both inefficient in the first three quarters, with Harden in particular struggling to make an impact after his dominant Game 1 performance. Although Powell had a fantastic game, scoring 22 points, it wasn’t enough to carry the team when it mattered most.

One other takeaway from Game 4 was the surprising impact of Bogdanovic, who played all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter and was instrumental in the comeback. His effort on both ends of the floor was crucial, and his +22 plus-minus reflected just how impactful he was in those final moments. Coach Tyronn Lue has some tough decisions ahead regarding his rotation, as it may be time to give Bogdanovic more minutes, especially considering that other key players like Terance Mann and Bones Hyland didn’t show up in Game 4.

As for the series at large, it’s become increasingly clear that it’s going to be a battle of attrition. The Nuggets have revealed their strategy—lean heavily on the starters and ride them for as long as they can—but this method comes with its risks. If they continue to wear out their key players, the Clippers, with their depth, might be able to capitalize, especially if they can get their stars clicking at the same time. The next few games will be crucial for both teams, and the outcome of this series could hinge on which team has the stamina and depth to push through.

In a playoff series this closely contested, every possession matters. Whether or not Gordon’s shot was a hair too late is now part of the lore of this series. However, the real question for both teams moving forward is not whether the buzzer-beater counted, but whether either team can find a way to survive the grind of this brutal postseason. The clock is ticking, and the next game could be the turning point.