Horry Scale: Nikola Jokic stuns Warriors with 39-foot buzzer-beater
Nikola Jokic talks about Denver’s rally to victory over the Warriors, his unselfish play style, and the team’s continuous pursuit of improvement.
A reminder on The Horry Scale: It breaks down a game-winning buzzer-beater (GWBB) in the categories of difficulty, game situation (was the team tied or behind at the time?), importance (playoff game or garden-variety night in November?) and celebration. Then we give it an overall grade on a scale of 1-5 Robert Horrys, named for the patron saint of last-second answered prayers.
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He might not have declared a bank shot, but it was irrelevant.
Nikola Jokic saved his best for last Thursday night at Chase Center, banking in a 39-footer to beat the buzzer and shock the Warriors, 130-127.
Jokic’s remarkable performance aided the Nuggets in overcoming an 18-point shortfall, finishing the game with a 25-4 run. The 2-time Kia MVP concluded the game with impressive stats, scoring 34 points (with a 13-for-16 field goal record), nine rebounds, and 10 assists.
Chuck: “Did you intend to hit the glass with that shot?”
Jokić: "My friend, it went in. I'm happy." pic.twitter.com/iqDzwreXXZ
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 5, 2024
GAME SITUATION: For much of the game, especially the second half, Stephen Curry and the Warriors controlled the game. Midway through the fourth quarter, Golden State secured an 18-point lead. But slowly, Jokic and his teammates chipped away, eventually pulling even with Golden State at 117-117 with 3.6 seconds left.
DIFFICULTY: Aaron Gordon inbounded the ball, and it looked like Jamal Murray was the first option. But Gordon had to go to his second option, which was Jokic. Denver’s big man took the pass in the backcourt and took a few dribbles up court against Kevon Looney.
Jokic pulled up from 39 feet and banked in the game-winning 3-pointer with just under a second left, even with Looney right in his face. This happened as the buzzer went off.
JOKIC WINS IT ‼️
JOKER WINS THE GAME WITH THE #TissotBuzzerBeater FROM 39 FEET AWAY #YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness pic.twitter.com/ykPdygIQ03
— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2024
CELEBRATION: Typically void of much emotion on the court, Jokic let the emotion run free after hitting the winner. The big man raised his arm, jumped in the air and then ran toward halfcourt as his teammates mobbed him. When in doubt, put the ball in the big man’s hands and something good usually happens. Case, meet point.
CALLED GAME pic.twitter.com/o2cepr9Lsf
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 5, 2024
GRADE: Jokic’s winner was impressive and helped the Nuggets storm back from a big deficit. But … it was the regular season, and a tie game – if he misses, the game goes to OT rather than on the record as a loss. Yet the degree of difficulty was there, and it came on the road in a hostile arena. 4 Horrys.
