Denver, Colorado — The Denver Nuggets managed to flip the script in a playoff matchup against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, securing a 113-104 overtime victory despite a rare off night from star center Nikola Jokić. Traditionally, the Nuggets’ success has been intricately tied to Jokić’s offensive brilliance. This season, the Nuggets have demonstrated a striking dependency on their three-time MVP, with a scoring differential of 22.4 points per 100 possessions when he is on the court.
On Friday night, however, the narrative shifted. Jokić scored just 20 points on a disappointing 8-of-25 shooting performance, including a baffling 0-for-10 from three-point range. Typically a highly efficient scorer, Jokić’s unusual struggles raised eyebrows, yet the Nuggets found a way to respond and claimed a crucial win, taking a 2-1 series lead.
Nuggets head coach David Adelman praised the team’s ability to rally together. “Our team right now, and I mean it, they’re picking each other up man by man,” Adelman stated. Key contributions came from several players, demonstrating the depth and resilience of the roster. Jamal Murray led the effort with 27 points and eight assists, showcasing his knack for stepping up when needed. His pivotal plays in overtime included a steal leading to a layup and another steal that thwarted the Thunder’s attempts to close the gap.
Support came from Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr., who added 22 and 21 points, respectively. Gordon’s timely three-pointer with under a minute left sent the game into overtime, marking his second critical long-range shot of the series. Meanwhile, Porter Jr. enjoyed his best outing of the postseason, connecting on 5 of 6 three-point attempts, and proved instrumental in maintaining the team’s momentum.
The victory was particularly notable as it marked only the fifth time in franchise history that four Nuggets players scored at least 20 points in a playoff game. This balanced offensive attack is a strong indication of the team’s ability to withstand individual struggles, a crucial aspect as they navigate the playoffs.
Despite his shooting woes, Jokić continued to impact the game in significant ways, contributing 16 rebounds and facilitating plays for his teammates. His ability to draw defenders opened up space for Gordon and Porter Jr., allowing them to thrive. “The bottom line is [Jokić], just keep shooting the ball,” Adelman added, reinforcing the importance of Jokić’s presence on the court even during less productive nights.
The Thunder had a missed opportunity to capitalize on Jokić’s off shooting performance, as he seldom faces difficulties in back-to-back games. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Jokić in Game 4, where he is expected to return to form.
The resilience shown by the Nuggets highlights a growing confidence within the lineup. Each player’s readiness to step up signals a potential path forward, even on days when the team’s cornerstone may falter. While the sustainability of this collective effort will be tested, the performance against the Thunder demonstrated that the Nuggets possess a formidable ability to prevail, even when their MVP is not at his best.