Aaron Gordon scored a career-high 50 points on opening night, but the Denver Nuggets forward wanted no part of the game ball after the 137–131 overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Gordon, who knocked down 10 three-pointers and added eight rebounds, told reporters postgame that individual milestones don’t mean much when they come in defeat.
“It sucks,” Gordon said. “They were asking if I wanted a game ball, and no, I don’t want [the] game ball. Take an L home with me.”
Despite the loss, Gordon looked dominant, showcasing a refined shooting rhythm that reflected years of offseason work. He credited the improvement to both physical and mental adjustments made over time.
“Just speeding up the shot was a big factor in it,” Gordon explained. “Balance, and then a lot of work in the offseason. I’ve been doing this since I was 18, so I’ve had some reps.”
The veteran forward said his confidence stems from consistent repetition and a willingness to trust his training in live-game situations. “You shoot 15 minutes before practice, 15 after, and have the resolve to shoot it in the game and not worry about misses,” he said. “You’re inevitably going to get better.”
Gordon’s performance briefly had the Nuggets in control late in regulation, but Stephen Curry’s game-tying three-pointer with 21.9 seconds remaining forced overtime. Curry finished with 42 points, including 35 in the second half, leading the Warriors to their second straight win.
Reflecting on Denver’s late-game struggles, Gordon pointed to the team’s defense as an area needing improvement. “Obviously, get more stops down the stretch,” he said. “Our clutch defense will start picking up the more we’re together, just understanding what we’re trying to do on the defensive end.”
The 30-year-old emphasized that the focus remains on growth, not frustration, as the Nuggets move forward. “It’s one game,” he said. “It’s a good team. It’s hard to win on the road. We’ll reconvene, watch film, and try to play better in our home opener.”
