Finding Aaron Wiggins underneath the basket, Chet Holmgren dished the assist to push OKC’s lead to 20 points to enter the final frame. The young squad was on their way to blowing out the reigning NBA champions.
The Oklahoma City Thunder picked up another signature victory with a 119-93 win over the Denver Nuggets. The Thunder have now won both of their Denver road games this season in enthusiastic fashion in the forms of a game-winner and walloping.
“I really respect the approach our players took tonight,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said on the win. “Really good from the jump. Tight on both ends of the floor in terms of understanding the plan and got off to a really good start.
We were able to throw the first punch of the game, which I think is important with a team with this much confidence.”
After building a 54-48 halftime lead, the Thunder finished the third quarter on a 28-9 run to blow this game open. A 34-point third quarter by OKC was its strongest quarter of the night.
The Thunder added to their lead in the final frame, leading by as many as 26 points. It was a stress-free fourth quarter as OKC muted Denver’s home crowd.
On offense, the Thunder continue to run like a well-oiled machine. Recent performances have seen them climb to No. 6 in offensive rating. This game should help with that number.
OKC shot 51% from the field and went 12-of-35 (34.3%) from 3. It went an efficient 15-of-16 from the free-throw line and collected 29 assists on 46 buckets. The fast break was the Thunder’s friend with 25 points in transition alone.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlined the massive win with 40 points on 20 shots. Chet Holmgren also contributed with 24 points — including a monster first quarter.
“He was just cruising. He let the game come to him,” Daigneault said on Gilgeous-Alexander. “He never seemed like he was forcing. Played the right way throughout; made the right passes; kept the honest; got to his spots. It’s kinda routine at this point, but he played a great game.”
Meanwhile, the Nuggets never gained any rhythm against OKC’s stout defense. Denver shot 42% from the field and went a cold 10-of-37 (27%) from 3. It had 30 assists but committed 17 turnovers.
After an eight-point first quarter, Nikola Jokic was limited to 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Michael Porter Jr. had 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Jamal Murray was limited to nine points on 4-of-15 shooting and 11 assists.
Sitting at 21-9 with two of their last three wins coming against the two teams ahead of them in the Western Conference standings, the Thunder have made it known through 30 games that they’re a real contender.
“We’re heading in the right direction for sure. I can feel it. The guys on the team can feel it. Everyone can feel it. We’re getting better,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Let’s look at Thunder player grades.