Shai Gilgeous-Alexander decided the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets with a game-winning shot. The reigning champions prevailed 129-126 in a spectacular game against Nikola Jokic and Co.
The Thunder also won the third rematch of last year’s Western Conference Semifinals (4-3 OKC), but it was another close game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sank the decisive three-pointer for the win with three seconds left, and with no timeouts left, the visitors had to take a desperation shot from their own half, which missed by a wide margin.
Thus, the Nuggets’ comeback remained uncrowned, as they were still trailing by seven points with about 90 seconds left. Nikola Jokic had made it exciting once again. First, the Serbian scored a four-point play when he was elbowed in the face by Lu Dort, and shortly thereafter he cut the deficit to one point with a hook shot.
Gilgeous-Alexander hit a three-pointer with 14 seconds left, but Jokic had the answer from outside and Jamal Murray was fouled in the process, giving the Canadian a bonus free throw to tie the game – until SGA finally put the game away.
Thunder win without three starters
The Thunder were without their two big men, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, as well as All-Star Jalen Williams, while Denver continued to miss Peyton Watson. Nevertheless, the Nuggets had clear advantages on the board, with 26 second chance points keeping them in the game. Jokic recorded another triple-double with 32 points (12/19 FG), 14 rebounds, and 13 assists, while Gilgeous-Alexander impressed on the other side with 35 points (14/21 FG) and 15 assists.
The X-factor for the Nuggets was Tim Hardaway Jr. (28) with eight three-pointers, while Aaron Gordon (23, 10 rebounds) recorded a double-double. On the Thunder side, Hartenstein’s replacement Jaylin Williams (29, 7/11 3P, 12 rebounds) and Ajay Mitchell (24) also broke the 20-point mark.
The Thunder have won all their games (6-0) since SGA’s return, while the Nuggets slip to sixth place after the defeat and are now only 1.5 games ahead of the Phoenix Suns.