With a spot within the Western Convention finals hanging within the steadiness, the Denver Nuggets confirmed their championship DNA by defeating the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 119-107 on Thursday evening. The collection is now tied 3-3 and heads again to Oklahoma Metropolis for a extremely anticipated, winner-take-all Sport 7.
Nikola Jokic led Denver with 29 factors, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, however this recreation featured a few of the finest showings from his teammates. Jamal Murray, who was coping with an sickness, scored 25 factors and Christian Braun scored a profession playoff-best 23 factors.
One surprising hero for the Nuggets was Julian Strawther. Though he performed sparingly all through the playoffs, the rookie saved his finest efficiency for the group’s most necessary recreation. Strawther posted 15 factors, taking pictures 4 of 8 from the sphere and 3-of-4 on 3s, principally within the third quarter when the Nuggets started to tug forward.
“We fed off his vitality,” Murray mentioned. “Tremendous happy with him.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the favourite to win this yr’s MVP award, led the Thunder with 32 factors however suffered from early foul hassle. His supporting forged was not at their finest together with Jalen Williams who scored solely six factors on 3-of-16 taking pictures.
“I simply damage us tonight not making pictures,” Williams mentioned. “I acquired to spots I needed to get to, they didn’t go in. That’s how basketball works.”
After taking part in each different day since April 29, the Denver Nuggets will now have someday of relaxation earlier than Sport 7.
“Guys regarded extra glad to have two days off than to be going to a Sport 7,” Denver interim head coach David Adelman famous.
Because the collection heads again to OKC, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault is anticipating a robust response from his younger group in entrance of the house crowd.
“Initially, credit score Denver — they threw a punch tonight as has occurred within the collection, each groups are exchanging blows,” Daigneault mentioned. “They acquired theirs in tonight, and each groups have completed a fantastic job of standing again up, together with us, and we have to try this on Sunday.”