The Oklahoma City Thunder mounted a remarkable comeback to defeat the Denver Nuggets 108-103 in Game Five of their playoff series, showcasing resilience and teamwork. Early in the third quarter, that contest at the Paycom Center had turned into an instant classic. The Thunder came back from a late-game deficit, highlighted with incredible performances by their dynamic star trio.
Given that Denver came into the game with a .667 win percentage, this was a huge game for them. This is the best record for any team in a season when down by 10+ points since the 1997-98 season. Nikola Jokic carried the Nuggets with a dominant performance, scoring 44 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Jamal Murray added 28 points but vacationed on shooting island, making just 10 of 27 shots. Even with Jokic’s and Murray’s contributions, Denver’s offense bottomed out, as no one else reached double figures.
It was a great start to the game for Oklahoma City, which pulled out to a speedy 12-2 advantage. Denver could hardly do anything early, hitting only one of its first nine attempts, a Jokic putback. The Nuggets found their groove and pulled away, taking an 11-point lead in the second quarter. They concluded the first half with a narrow lead, 56-54.
As the second half opened, it was the Nuggets once again grabbing the momentum and looking to build on their advantage. Yet, Oklahoma City remained resilient. Lou Dort was 3 points in the first 3 quarters. And boy did he flip that game! He drilled three 3-pointers in a span of only two minutes, pulling Denver’s lead down to 92-90 with 6:30 left in the fourth quarter.
With the game hanging in the balance, Jalen Williams delivered a crucial 3-pointer with 1:18 remaining, giving the Thunder a 106-103 advantage. The smooth move by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was key in putting the game away for Oklahoma City. He finished an efficient 12 of 23 from the floor while helping out on the glass with seven assists. His three-pointer with only 48 seconds left pushed Oklahoma City’s lead to six points, solidifying their position as they closed out the game.
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