In the aftermath of the Denver Nuggets' crushing 40-point defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Aaron Gordon didn't hold back. The forward took aim at what he perceived as excessive physical play by the Thunder, while also criticizing the referees for failing to protect Denver's superstar, Nikola Jokić.
"It's getting ridiculous out there," Gordon expressed candidly after the game. "The amount of contact that Jokić endures every night without a whistle is a bit much. He's getting hacked and held more time than not, and it seems like it's being overlooked."
Gordon's frustrations were evident and seemed to reflect a growing concern within the Nuggets camp about the treatment their MVP center is receiving from opponents—and officials. While physicality is a staple of NBA play, the tipping point for Gordon came during a game filled with bumping, scrapes, and unchecked aggression.
The Thunder, capitalizing on the rugged play, dominated the court with a relentless pace and vigor. As the deficit widened, the Nuggets struggled to match the intensity, with Gordon's objections echoing the broader sentiment of his team's frustrations.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Jokić still managed to put up respectable numbers. Yet, the lack of calls and the constant hacks seemed to throw off the rhythm that normally sees him and the Nuggets outgun their opponents.
"We need to be tougher, sure," Gordon acknowledged, "but at the same time, there's a line for everyone's safety and integrity of the game. We rely on officials to maintain that balance, and it just wasn't there tonight."
Heading back into training, the Nuggets will focus on regaining their footing and addressing both their on-court issues and how to better handle the physical threat posed by teams like the Thunder. The loss serves as a stinging reminder that, in the NBA, resilience is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one.
