Nuggets Triumph in Overtime Thriller Against Thunder
DENVER – Facing the daunting task of rebounding from a devastating 43-point defeat, the Denver Nuggets knew they needed to keep pace with the high-energy, top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder. Drawing on their seasoned expertise, supportive home crowd, and knack for clutch performances, they managed to do exactly that.
On Friday night, in Game 3, the Nuggets emerged victorious, defeating the Thunder 113-104 in overtime. This triumph was powered by standout performances from Jamal Murray, who scored 27 points, Aaron Gordon with 22 points, and Michael Porter Jr., playing with an injured left shoulder, contributing 21 points—his best showing since his shoulder injury in the playoffs’ opening game.
Mirroring their Game 1 victory, clinched by Gordon’s critical 3-pointer, the Nuggets found themselves trailing for much of the night. They never led by more than two points during regulation. However, they surged with an 11-2 run in overtime, capitalizing on the Thunder’s struggles as the visitors managed just one successful shot in nine attempts.
“Late in games, you can depend on your experiences,” interim coach David Adelson remarked, referring to the Nuggets’ past triumphs, including their NBA Championship two years ago.
Despite Nikola Jokic having an off night—with eight turnovers and missing 17 of his 25 attempts, including all 10 from beyond the arc—the Nuggets claimed a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. Jokic still managed to tally 20 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists.
“Imagine calling 20, 16, and 6 an awful night in the NBA,” Adelman quipped. “I know he’s upset. He’s one of the most efficient players ever, and I understand his frustration. But Game 4 is coming, and he’ll be heavily involved. Hopefully, he gets plenty of shots.”
Game 4 is slated for Sunday in Denver.
Jokic initiated the overtime takeover with a smooth finger-roll layup, and from there, the Nuggets never looked back.
“Losing stings, but it’s part of the journey,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “We aim to grow with each game. We did well against Jokic and fought hard. It was a challenging game for both sides.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s own MVP hopeful, also struggled, hitting just 7 of 22 shots, including 1-of-6 from three-point range, and finishing with 18 points. Jalen Williams was a bright spot for OKC, leading with 32 points, while Chet Holmgren added 18.
With the score knotted at 102 as regulation concluded, both Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic missed their chances to secure the win. In the final seconds, Gilgeous-Alexander’s 12-foot jumper was off-target, followed by Jokic’s missed 19-footer at the buzzer.
“Playoff losses hurt,” Daigneault admitted. “But we’re building a great team. We’ve accomplished much, and the postseason tests our limits. We need to rise to meet those obstacles.”