OKLAHOMA CITY – In a thrilling display of basketball prowess, Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a resounding 140-127 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night. Jokic showcased his versatility on the court with an impressive performance, delivering 35 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and dishing out eight assists. Jamal Murray also shone for the Nuggets, contributing 34 points to help overturn their previous 127-103 defeat to the Thunder the night before.
The Thunder, who have been enjoying a strong season, witnessed their seven-game winning streak come to an end. In their efforts, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, one of the NBA’s leading scorers and a strong MVP candidate alongside Jokic, managed 25 points, a notable step down from his 40-point effort the previous day. Meanwhile, Lu Dort had a standout performance with a season-high 26 points, including eight successful 3-pointers. Isaiah Hartenstein complemented with 20 points for Oklahoma City.
The contest saw a thrilling first half, with the Thunder leading 73-67 at the break, thanks to contributions from Hartenstein and Gilgeous-Alexander. However, the game took a turn when Oklahoma City’s All-Star Jalen Williams had to leave in the second quarter due to a right hip strain, after securing 12 points and six assists in just 14 minutes.
Taking advantage of the situation, the Nuggets surged ahead by the end of the third quarter, holding a slim 101-99 lead. The final period belonged to Denver as they turned the tables after being outplayed by Oklahoma City the previous day. A pivotal moment came when Jamal Murray’s 3-pointer extended the Nuggets’ lead to 109-101, with over ten minutes left on the clock. From there, Denver maintained control and sealed the victory.
For Denver, this triumph highlighted their resilience, bouncing back against a younger and deeper opponent on the second game of a back-to-back set. On the other hand, the Thunder found themselves struggling without the presence and leadership of Williams in the second half, which proved detrimental in their close pursuit of the league’s top position.
In another critical moment, Russell Westbrook and Peyton Watson hit consecutive 3-pointers, expanding the Nuggets’ advantage to 125-111 with under seven minutes to play, cementing their dominant finish.
Statistically, Jokic’s efficient shooting stood out, connecting on 15 of his 20 field goal attempts. Looking ahead, the Nuggets are set to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, while the Thunder will travel to face the Boston Celtics.
