In their first road Game 1 in over three years, the Nuggets weren’t fazed.

Despite playing in a Game 7 against the Clippers 48 hours prior, Denver came into the house of the well-rested No. 1 seed Thunder and pulled out a miraculous 121-119 win thanks to Aaron Gordon’s game-winning 3-pointer.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

Aaron Gordon, basketball hero again

Despite a poor shooting night from the Nuggets, Gordon made the one that counted. Gordon, Jokic and Jamal Murray were the only Denver players to make multiple three-pointers as they shot 10-for-32 from beyond the arc as a team, while OKC shot 15-for-43.

Gordon’s game-winner in the final seconds gave the Nuggets their first lead since the first quarter, but he’s had a knack for making big plays in this postseason with now two game-winners in the Nuggets’ eight playoff games.

Gordon finished with 22 points and was a team-high plus-16.

Nuggets own the glass

Denver may have found the aspect of this series where it has a decided advantage: rebounding.

Even though the Thunder have at least one of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein on the floor at all times — and often together — the Nuggets dominated on the glass. Jokic, Aaron Gordon and even the likes of Christian Braun and Peyton Watson all chipped in to help the Nuggets grab 21 offensive rebounds leading to 27 second-chance points.

Oklahoma City might have an advantage on the perimeter, but the Nuggets can own the paint.

Caruso plays huge role off bench

The “Bald Mamba” was everywhere.

The Thunder somehow did not have to trade a single draft pick alongside Josh Giddey in their acquisition of Alex Caruso last offseason and the all-world defender showed why OKC was keen on adding him to their core of young talent.

Caruso was everything his team needed in Game 1, wreaking havoc on the defensive end with five steals and two blocks, while also chipping in 20 points off the bench.