Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — In a thrilling playoff opener, the Denver Nuggets erased a late deficit to secure a 121-119 victory over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night. Nikola Jokic led the charge with a remarkable performance, tallying 42 points and 22 rebounds. The dramatic win featured Aaron Gordon hitting a crucial three-pointer in the closing seconds, sealing the comeback in the first game of their Western Conference semifinals.
The Thunder found themselves in a tense spot when Chet Holmgren missed two critical free throws with Oklahoma City clinging to a one-point lead. As the clock wound down, the Nuggets capitalized on the opportunity, marking a stunning turnaround after trailing for most of the game.
Jokic’s performance was crucial, especially after he faced foul trouble in the third quarter. With three fouls accumulated in a brief span, he managed to stay focused despite the mounting pressure. The Nuggets, having just come off a grueling seven-game series against the LA Clippers, showed resilience in their approach to this playoff battle.
Adding to the Nuggets’ efforts, Jamal Murray contributed 21 points, while Gordon, with his 22 points and 14 rebounds, completed a vital double-double. The duo, along with Jokic, combined to account for 89 of the Nuggets’ total points, demonstrating their key roles in the team’s offensive strategy.
Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a stellar performance of his own, scoring 33 points and adding 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Despite his efforts, including Alex Caruso’s support with 20 points and 6 assists, the Thunder could not hold onto their lead in the final moments.
The game was particularly notable for Russell Westbrook, who returned to Oklahoma City as an opponent for the first time in his career since leaving the Thunder. His assist on Gordon’s game-winning shot added another layer of drama to an already electrifying matchup.
The Thunder initially gained a comfortable lead before the Nuggets started chipping away, ending the third quarter just five points behind. A sequence that saw Jokic receive a flagrant foul after an elbow to Lu Dort’s head highlighted the intensity of the contest, but it also showed the importance of maintaining composure in high-stakes situations.
As the game reached its climax, the Thunder found themselves out of timeouts and unable to regroup after Gordon’s decisive three-pointer. Denver’s late-game execution turned the tide, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure as they look to capitalize on this momentum in their playoff journey.
Looking ahead, both teams will need to assess their strategies as they prepare for Game 2. With the series now in favor of the Nuggets, Oklahoma City will seek to bounce back and reclaim their rhythm following a significant disruption amid their successful run in the previous round. The playoffs remain wide open as both teams strive for a spot in the next round.