Gordon hits clutch shot as Nuggets edge Thunder in Game 1
Aaron Gordon rose to the moment once again.
With the game hanging in the balance and the clock winding down, Gordon knocked down a cold-blooded three-pointer that gave the Denver Nuggets a dramatic 121-119 win over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semi-Final series on Tuesday, May 6 (PH time), at the Paycom Center.
Gordon finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds, but it was that one final shot that mattered most—silencing the home crowd and stealing the series opener for the defending champs.
His game-winner capped off a night where Nikola Jokic did everything—and then some. The two-time MVP delivered an outstanding performance of 42 points, 22 rebounds, six assists, a steal, and two blocks. It was a masterclass in control, composure, and complete dominance on both ends.
Jamal Murray also held the fort with 21 markers, six boards, and six dimes, while Russell Westbrook turned back the clock with 18 points off the bench, bringing a much-needed spark in the second half.
But OKC wasn’t just going to hand it over.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved again why he’s in the MVP conversation, putting up 33 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and a block. He had help, especially from Alex Caruso, who stuffed the stat sheet with 20 markers, one board, six dimes, five deflections, two blocks, and all the energy in the world off the bench.
Jalen Williams added 16 points, Luguentz Dort had 14, and both Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein pitched in 12 each. The Thunder were in control early, building a 60-50 halftime lead after a strong second quarter.
But Denver didn’t panic.
They chipped away, cutting the deficit to five entering the fourth. Then they outworked, outlasted, and out-clutched OKC in the final frame. And when the game needed a closer, Aaron Gordon delivered.
Game 2 remains in Oklahoma City and is scheduled for Thursday, May 8 (PH time) at 9:30 AM. The Thunder now have to respond—or risk heading to Denver down 0-2.
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).