Denver Nuggets Stun Oklahoma City Thunder with 113-104 Overtime Win
The Denver Nuggets have taken a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, thanks to a thrilling 113-104 overtime win at Ball Arena on Friday night. The Nuggets, led by interim head coach David Adelman, have proven their resilience and determination, overcoming a slew of injuries and a significant disadvantage in depth and athleticism.
According to The New York Times, citing sources from The Athletic, Michael Porter Jr. played a crucial role in the win, scoring 21 points despite struggling with a grade 2 sprain to his shoulder. Porter, who required an injection of lidocaine to play, typifies the Nuggets’ current situation – bruised and battered, but refusing to give up. As quoted in The New York Times, Porter simply shook his head when told of the expected month-long recovery time, saying "he wasn’t sitting out".
The Nuggets’ victory was largely due to the impressive performances of their role players. Jamal Murray scored a team-high 27 points, including 17 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Aaron Gordon added 22 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 27.5 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. As The New York Times reported, citing sources from The Athletic, Porter hit several crucial shots in the first half to keep the Nuggets in the game.
The Nuggets’ defense, which was heavily criticized during the regular season, has transformed in the playoffs. According to The New York Times, citing sources from The Athletic, Denver held Oklahoma City to 1-of-7 shooting in overtime and limited Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s MVP candidate, to 7-of-22 shooting. The Nuggets also forced Gilgeous-Alexander into multiple turnovers in critical moments of the game.
The Thunder, who won 68 games in the regular season, have been reduced to a must-win scenario in Game 4. As The New York Times quoted David Adelman, "We just knew that we had to stay in it and stay close. We know that the longer we can stay in the game, the better chance we can give ourselves, because those guys are playing big minutes like we are. It just felt good to find a way to win."
The Nuggets’ experience in playoff battles has given them an edge in close games. According to The New York Times, citing sources from The Athletic, Denver’s roster has come together, and they are truly playing for one another. As Murray stated, "We know that it’s going to take everybody. Defensively, we have to be on a string and we have to help each other and cover for each other. It takes a lot of communication and we are doing a great job of that."
In a series where the Thunder have dominated, the Nuggets have found ways to stay in the game and capitalize on crucial moments. As The New York Times reported, citing sources from The Athletic, Adelman noted that his team’s experience in close games has allowed them to remain calm under pressure.
The Nuggets’ win has significant implications for the series, and they will look to close out the Thunder in Game 4. According to The New York Times, citing sources from The Athletic, Murray, Gordon, and Porter made up for Nikola Jokić’s struggles, and their collective effort will be crucial in the remainder of the series.
(Photo of Jamal Murray: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
