Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) fights Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) for the ball in the 1st quarter of game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) is not happy with how he is being defended by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. The Nuggets lost the game 119-114. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) goes in front of Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. The Nuggets lost the game 119-114. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (23) tries to pry the ball away from Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. The Nuggets lost the game 119-114. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (23) sprints to try to keep the ball from going out of bounds during game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. The Nuggets lost the game 119-114. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) scores a basket) during game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. The Nuggets lost the game 119-114. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) points to the crowd after hitting a 3-pointer in the opening minutes of game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) has his shot blocked by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the second quarter of game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) dunks the ball in the 1st quarter of game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) celebrate a buzzer beater 3-pointer by Murray at the end of the second quarter of game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) fights Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) for the ball in the 1st quarter of game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) is guarded by Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the second quarter of game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) in the first quarter of game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) shoots the ball in the first quarter of game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)A visibly upset Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) leaves the floor after losing the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the first round of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Monday, April 20, 2026. They were defeated by the Timberwolves 119-114. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)The Nuggets faithful pick up some free playoff t-shirts before game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships on Monday, April 20, 2026. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) runs out on the court with two of his nephews for warmups before game 2 of round 1 of the NBA Championships on Monday, April 20, 2026. Aaron Gordon’s nephews are the sons of his older brother, Drew Gordon, who tragically passed away in a car accident in May 2024. His brother played basketball, also, and Gordon started wearing his number #32. Following the tragedy, Aaron has stepped up as a major figure in his nephews’ lives and often has them with him when during warmups. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)
