NBA Playoffs 2025- Denver Nuggets Take Series Lead By Outlasting Thunder 113-104 In Overtime Game 3 Win

The Denver Nuggets bounced back from their previous defeat and handed a 113-104 OT defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals series at Ball Arena. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 27 points, four rebounds, and eight assists while Aaron Gordon came up with 22 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. 

The Game 1 of the series saw the Nuggets stealing the contest with a dominating performance by the three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Game 2 turned out to be a nightmare for Jokic and Co. as a ‘desperate’ Thunder handed them a 149-106 defeat in a blowout fashion. However, as the series shifted to Ball Arena, the Nuggets first forced an overtime by tying the game at 102, and made a stunning comeback to score the first seven points in extra time to take a 2-1 lead. 

The Joker had a rough overall performance and he tallied 20 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists. For the Thunder, Jalen Williams chipped in 32 points, three rebounds, and five assists, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren finished with 18 points apiece. 

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Denver Nuggets Take Significant Lead in OT To Dominate Thunder 2-1

The OKC Thunder featured Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Luguentz Dort, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. On the other hand, the Nuggets had Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic, Christian Braun and Jamal Murray in their starting five. The visitors who registered a blowout win in the previous game of the series went all guns blazing right from the beginning, and had an 8-0 run with Gilgeous-Alexander assisting two baskets. 

The Nuggets on the other hand, struggled with two missed shots and a turnover by Jokic. However, soon after, Denver went on an 8-0 run, which included threes from Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray. In addition Braun displayed excellent defensive prowess and grabbed two defensive rebounds. The Thunder, however, ended up missing five straight shots, but ended the opening quarter with a 28-22 lead over the Nuggets. Holmgren had 11 points and six rebounds. For the Nuggets, Murray dropped seven points while Porter scored six points. 

A couple of minutes into the second quarter, the Nuggets went on a 14-6 run to tie the game at 32. Holmgren put up his top-notch shooting skills on display and scored 15 points while shooting six-of-ten from the field. The Thunder then turned their one-point deficit to a 49-42 lead, and finished the quarter with a 56-51 lead. By the end of the first half, SGA and the Joker had nine rebounds each. Holmgren dropped 16 points for the Thunder, while Porter Jr. scored 15. 

There were numerous incidents in the second half when the Nuggets tied the Thunder. Not only this, but at one point in the third quarter, they gained a lead over their table-topper counterparts. However, the Thunder maintained their lead and ended the third quarter with 83-80. 

While Jokic was visibly struggling in terms of shooting, he kept his defensive game in check and grabbed 14 rebounds. Williams and Holmgren scored 16 points each while SGA entered the fourth quarter with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Porter Jr. and Murray scored 18 points each for the Nuggets.

Action turned more intense in the fourth quarter and both teams were closely following each other. A time-out in the final seconds of the game, helped the Nuggets forcing overtime. The hosts made full use of the extra time and led the Thunder 109-102 with three minutes left. On the flip side, Oklahoma City that maintained a lead for majority of the game, were visibly low on energy in the OT. The Nuggets further extended their lead and registered a 113-104 victory to secure a 2-1 lead in the series.

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