The Oklahoma City Thunder, the top seed in the Western Conference, hosted the Denver Nuggets, the West’s second seed, at Paycom Center on Sunday. The game, highlighted by the league’s two preeminent MVP candidates, was an early Sunday treat, with the Thunder pulling away in the fourth en route to a 24-point victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander slithered and snaked his way to 40 points (his 11th 40-point game of the season), getting into gaps as he usually does and patiently getting to his spots and the rim. Though he started off the game slow from the field, he finished 47% from the field (15-for-32), and despite going 2-for-11 from downtown, he was 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. He also registered 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks. The NBA’s other MVP candidate, Nikola Jokic, was 10-for-23 from the field and just 2-for-10 from downtown and finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists. Jokic dinged his elbow early in the game and was also just 2-for-6 from the line.
Michael Porter Jr. aided Jokic with 24 points and 15 rebounds (10-for-19), Christian Braun scored 19 and Jamal Murray 17 in efforts that were needed after Aaron Gordon left the game just seven minutes in with right calf tightness.
The Thunder held a 61-60 halftime lead, but ran away with things in the fourth quarter, out-scoring the Nuggets 41-20 in the final frame. Jalen Williams’ performance of 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists (7-for-14) was crucial for the Thunder. Isaiah Hartenstein played well with 10 points and 11 rebounds on 5-for-6 shooting. Chet Holmgren played strong inside and finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds on 6-for-10 shooting, though he was plagued by foul trouble.
With 3:42 remaining, Gilgeous-Alexander connected on a mid-range pull up jumper to give the Thunder a 114-99 lead. Williams, who put together his seventh consecutive 20-point game, gave the Thunder a 19-point lead with 1:47 remaining and a 22-point advantage with 1:13 remaining.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s patience offensively and his methodical maneuvering is refreshing to see in a game where a lot of players want to rush and get off quick shots. The 26-year-old, who has been the driving force behind the Thunder’s 53-11 mark, gets the best looks possible on most possessions.
Jokic plays at his own pace as well, possessing a complete, rare offensive repertoire for a center. Though he did not shoot the ball well on Sunday, his ability to use his size and back down and get into the paint for easy inside looks was on display.
The 41-23 Nuggets are now third in the Western Conference, behind the Los Angeles Lakers by one game in the loss column. On Sunday, it was announced that LeBron James will be out 1-2 weeks with a groin strain, which will put pressure on the likes of Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht to step up. Positively for the Lakers, they now have Luka Doncic, who has shown throughout his career a penchant for carrying his team.
A playoff matchup between the Thunder and Nuggets would be must-see TV.
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