DENVER — In a remarkable season opener, the Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed over the Denver Nuggets with a score of 102-87 on Thursday night, showcasing exceptional performances from key players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 28 points, while rookie Chet Holmgren contributed significantly with 25 points in addition to notable defensive plays. Holmgren showcased his versatility by tying his career-high with 14 rebounds, recording five assists, and blocking four shots. Aaron Wiggins, coming off the bench, added to the Thunder’s offensive output with 15 points.
This matchup was crucial for both squads, as they ended the previous season with identical 57-25 records, with the Thunder having secured the top position in the Western Conference, thanks to a tiebreaker advantage. The Nuggets’ star, reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, managed to record a triple-double with 16 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds. However, his point guard counterpart, Jamal Murray, struggled offensively, finishing with 12 points on just 4-of-14 shooting. Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon, who recently signed a contract extension, also contributed with 16 and 12 points respectively. Despite the Nuggets’ efforts, their shooting from beyond the arc was less than stellar, converting only 7 of 39 attempts on three-pointers.
In terms of highlights, Holmgren displayed impressive agility and athleticism; in a remarkable moment during the third quarter, he blocked Jokic’s shot, then sprinted down the floor to receive a pass before executing a powerful dunk. Additionally, the Thunder’s bench significantly outperformed that of the Nuggets’, scoring 25 points compared to Denver’s 16. Notably, new addition Russell Westbrook struggled in this game, scoring six points on 2-of-10 shooting.
Before the game, the Nuggets players and coaches honored the late Dikembe Mutombo by donning T-shirts featuring his iconic finger wag gesture. The first quarter included a video tribute highlighting Mutombo’s tremendous impact both on and off the court, followed by a heartfelt 55-second standing ovation from fans, commemorating his jersey number. Mutombo passed away last month at the age of 58 after battling brain cancer.
A key statistic from the game revealed that the Thunder commenced their season with the youngest roster in the league, averaging just 24 years and 148 days.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are set to face the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, while the Nuggets will host the Los Angeles Clippers on the same evening.