50 Points and 10 Threes for Gordon: “It Was Great, but We Lost”
An unreal performance from Aaron Gordon isn’t enough for the Denver Nuggets, as he finishes with a stunning 10-for-11 from deep against the Golden State Warriors
When Aaron Gordon first entered the NBA, everyone knew him as one of the best dunkers on the planet. His physical power, vertical leap, and highlight-reel dunks were his calling card. But years later, the Denver Nuggets forward has proven he’s far more than just a spectacular athlete.
In the season opener against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center, Gordon unveiled a completely new version of himself: the lights-out shooter. In the first half alone, he went a perfect 7-for-7 from three, racking up 25 points – a career high for a single half, according to StatMuse. And he didn’t stop there.
They asked if I wanted the game ball, but no. I don’t want to take home a loss, even after a great performance. It’s just the first game, but it hurts.
Aaron Gordon
In the second half, he kept firing from long range, finishing 10-for-11 from beyond the arc and scoring 50 points, a new career high. Those numbers would make even Stephen Curry blush – one fan on X (formerly Twitter) joked, “Steph, is that you?”
For a player who came close to winning the Slam Dunk Contest several times without ever claiming the trophy, San Francisco’s spotlight offered a kind of redemption. No longer “just” an incredible athlete, Gordon looked like a complete player – able to score from anywhere on the floor – and lead the Nuggets toward what could have been a statement win.
It was incredible. Whatever he did this summer, it worked.
Steph Curry
With this performance, Aaron Gordon showed that his evolution is anything but random. As Curry pointed out, it’s the result of years of quiet work, a technical and mental transformation that has turned him into a vital piece of Denver’s system.