Nuggets Survive Jokić’s Brick Festival, Steal Game 3 in OT to Spoil Thunder’s Villain Arc
DENVER — Remember when the Oklahoma City Thunder dropped 87 points in a HALF two days ago? Yeah, neither do the Nuggets. In a classic “playoff amnesia” performance, Denver shrugged off their historic Game 2 humiliation to outlast OKC 113-104 in overtime Friday—because nothing says “redemption” like winning ugly.
The “Highlights” (If You Can Call Them That)
- Nikola Jokić’s Shooting: 8/25 FG, 0/10 from three (a playoff career-worst masterclass in rim abuse).
- Aaron Gordon’s Clutch Gene: Tied the game with a cold-blooded three (because apparently every Nuggets playoff win now requires an AG miracle).
- Michael Porter Jr.’s Shoulder: Injected with enough lidocaine to numb a horse, then casually dropped 21 points. Modern medicine, folks.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Fourth Quarter: 1/8 shooting. MVP? More like MIA.
Overtime: When Denver Remembered They’re Champions
The Nuggets opened OT with a 7-0 run, because nothing humbles a young Thunder team like watching a hobbled Jokić (20 pts, 16 reb, 8 turnovers) still out-execute them. By the time Jamal Murray (27 pts) hit a transition layup off a TO, OKC’s body language screamed “we peaked in Game 2.”
Key Takeaways
- MPJ’s Shoulder > OKC’s Defense: Porter, playing through a “4-6 week” injury, went 5/6 from deep. “Lidocaine game strong,” he joked postgame.
- Gordon’s Playoff Buff: After game-winners in R1 and Game 1, his latest clutch three prompted Murray to say: “AG’s got angels with him.” (Or maybe just a deal with the devil.)
- SGA’s Struggles: 7/22 FG, 1/6 from three. When the Thunder needed him most, he channeled his inner Westbrook-in-2016.
The Big Picture
Denver now leads 2-1 despite:
- Jokić impersonating a G-League call-up
- Getting out-rebounded and out-shot
- OKC’s Jalen Williams (32 pts) looking like the best player on the floor
“It’s just a loss,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said of Game 2’s 43-point drubbing. “They broke records. Whatever.”
Next: Game 4 is Sunday. Thunder fans praying for less Jokić, more Game 2 vibes.
