DENVER — The Denver Nuggets were determined not to go down at home.
After suffering back-to-back late-game collapses against Oklahoma City, the Nuggets came out strong on Thursday night, securing a 119-107 victory in Game 6 over the Thunder. This win knots the Western Conference semifinal series at 3-3 and sets the stage for a decisive Game 7 in Oklahoma City with a spot in the Western Conference finals up for grabs.
Exhausted and fatigued by the deep and relentless Thunder lineup, the Nuggets had faltered in Games 4 and 5 after holding significant leads in the fourth quarter of each game. However, they managed to maintain their lead in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s game, entering with a 90-82 advantage.
This time around, they held on for the win without solely relying on Nikola Jokić down the stretch. Julian Strawther provided a crucial spark off the bench, and the Nuggets received a balanced contribution from their starting lineup, including a standout performance from Jamal Murray, who was questionable due to illness just before tipoff.
Murray leads the way despite illness
Murray set the tone for Denver by opening the scoring with a four-point play and finishing the first quarter with 11 points, dispelling any doubts about his impact in a pivotal game for the Nuggets.
“I was watching the first six minutes, wondering if he could do it,” Nuggets coach David Adelman remarked. “That’s Jamal Murray. The tougher the situation, the better he performs. What a resilient player.”
Although Murray struggled in the second quarter, shooting just 1-of-5, he bounced back in the third quarter as the Nuggets mounted a 32-21 run to take control of the game.
With 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, Murray emerged as Denver’s second-leading scorer, showcasing unwavering determination to play through illness.
Avoiding a fourth-quarter collapse
In contrast to the previous game where Jokić carried the team in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets demonstrated depth and resilience on Thursday night.
Coach Adelman made a strategic decision to rest Jokić for the first 4:07 of the final quarter, a move that paid off as the supporting cast extended Denver’s lead to 97-86 by the time Jokić returned to the court.
This well-timed rest provided Jokić with the energy needed for the crucial moments of the game, preventing any late surge from the Thunder. The crowd at Ball Arena, previously anxious after a Game 4 collapse, erupted in celebration.
“Last game, I regretted not giving one of them a breather,” Adelman reflected on his decision. “Nikola seemed like he needed a moment to regroup.”
Crucial bench support from Strawther
Julian Strawther, an underutilized reserve, emerged as a key player in the third quarter rally that propelled the Nuggets ahead in a tied game.
His offensive outburst, including timely 3-pointers, earned him extended playing time in the fourth quarter where he continued to make significant contributions on both ends of the court.
After finishing with 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including clutch 3-pointers, Strawther’s impact off the bench was instrumental in securing the much-needed victory for Denver.
Supporting Nikola Jokić
While Jokić led the team with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists, the Nuggets received balanced contributions from their starters. Christian Braun added 23 points, while Michael Porter Jr. bounced back from a poor shooting performance in Game 5.
This collective effort was crucial in avoiding a repeat of the previous game’s collapse, where non-Jokić players struggled in the fourth quarter.
Speaking about his teammates, Jokić praised their performance and highlighted the team’s strong defense as a key factor in the victory.
The Nuggets dominated from beyond the arc and on the boards, outshooting the Thunder in both categories to secure the win.
Injury concern for Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon, the only Nuggets starter to fall short of double figures, suffered a hamstring injury late in the game. His status for Game 7 remains uncertain as he focuses on recovery.
Denver’s Game 7 experience
The series now heads to Oklahoma City for a decisive Game 7, where the Nuggets will rely on their experience in such high-stakes games. With a history of success in Game 7s, Denver looks to secure a spot in the Western Conference finals against the Timberwolves.
On the other hand, the Thunder will aim to bounce back in their first Game 7 since 2020, setting the stage for an intense showdown on Sunday.