Aaron Gordon

It’s ultimately unclear as to when the luxury of having “fresh legs” expires for players beginning a new season, but for the Denver Nuggets — forced into heavy-minute overtime battles on back-to-back nights — such a theory was certainly tested. In counter, Aaron Gordon and the Nuggets, in their claw back from a 17-point deficit, turned to a tried-and-true method of their own. Parked in his patented, all-but-reserved area along the dunker’s spot, Gordon, awaiting the move of his All-NBA teammate from the court’s opposite side, times his around-the-rim cut flawlessly to escape Cam Thomas’ view. Springing into action without a running start, Gordon offsets the Brooklyn Nets’ fruitless contest with a two-handed reverse flush, trimming a light third quarter deficit. Making that concept a staple in his power-and-finesse approach during October 29, 2024’s win, Gordon left himself as one of the evening’s standouts, recording 24 points (on 8-of-11 shooting), alongside five rebounds, two assists, and one block.