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The Oklahoma City Thunder clamped down on the Denver Nuggets defensively and staged a late comeback to secure a Game 4 victory that was far from polished.
DENVER— After a dominant 68-win regular season and a flawless 4-0 sweep in the first round of the playoffs, the Thunder demonstrated their ability to thrive even in less-than-ideal circumstances. In this crucial matchup, Oklahoma City proved it can win in an unrefined manner.
The alternative was to face a daunting 3-1 deficit in this Western Conference semifinal against the Denver Nuggets, jeopardizing their chances of success. In a contest where neither team found their shooting rhythm, the Nuggets ultimately crumbled, allowing the number one seed in the West to breathe a sigh of relief.
With the series now tied at two games apiece, the best-of-seven matchup returns to OKC. The Thunder emerged as the superior team when it mattered most on Sunday, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander distinguishing himself as the more formidable Kia MVP contender during the pivotal moments.
“Their guys made the necessary plays to gain the upper hand,” noted Nuggets interim coach David Adelman. “In the end, it came down to who could execute that final push. Our performance in the last six minutes wasn’t good enough to secure a playoff win.”
Here are five key insights from Oklahoma City’s 92-87 triumph in Game 4, making this series a best-of-three showdown.
Amidst the impressive performance of the 2024-25 Thunder, it’s worth highlighting that OKC boasts the youngest roster in the league.
This achievement is remarkable, particularly given their outcomes. Yet, their inexperience has shown at times this season, as the Thunder struggled to close out nail-biting contests effectively. This aspect was often the sole critique of an otherwise stellar campaign.
However, in Game 4, this was not an issue. After falling behind by six points at the start of the fourth quarter, Oklahoma City displayed superior intelligence, efficiency, determination, and perhaps most notably, energy in a game that started at 1:30 p.m. local time.
“We stayed the course,” remarked Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder limited the Nuggets to just 18 points in the final quarter, outscoring them by 11 in that stretch. They soared above a Denver team that had been celebrated for its composure and savvy just 48 hours earlier.
What a drastic shift can occur in a few days for the league’s top scorer—actually, scratch that, just a few fourth quarters. In Game 3, Shai struggled, hitting only one of eight shots in the fourth quarter and finishing with just three points across the fourth and overtime.
This time around, he netted nine points with only one turnover, forcing the Nuggets to send double teams his way and opening opportunities for his teammates.
Remarkably, he accomplished this despite not finding his rhythm for much of the game. He missed all five of his attempts from beyond the arc and took time to get comfortable, needing that fourth quarter to reach 25 points—still nearly eight points under his season average.
Nonetheless, with Jalen Williams struggling with a 2-for-13 shooting night and no other significant offensive support, Shai took it upon himself to secure the win.
“My mindset was to do whatever it takes to win,” he shared. “I put a lot of pressure on myself. I have exceptionally high expectations for myself, and I always dream big and aim for the stars. I strive to meet my goals.”
With shots not falling, increasing defensive pressure against him, and rising frustration, Nikola Jokić is facing a growing challenge, turning into a trend within this series. He is yet to find his stride before it becomes too late.
In Game 3, his teammates saved him after he went 0-for-11 from deep. However, in a game decided by mere five points, his difficulties became apparent and likely played a significant role in the Nuggets’ loss.
The defensive pressure applied by Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren has made things tough for him, which Jokić himself acknowledged.
“They’re physical and a bit handsy,” he stated.
The Thunder fought hard to clinch this vital road win in Denver, positioning themselves well for an essential Game 5.
Yet, some of Jokić’s struggles can also be attributed to himself. There have been stretches where he hasn’t shown up as a Kia MVP finalist would typically be expected to. If judged against his usual greatness, then this aligns with reality.
His struggles also extended to his two-point shooting; consistency eluded him there as well. His Game 4 line may look decent—27 points and 13 rebounds—but it doesn’t encapsulate the whole story.
He shot 7-for-22, with his first basket coming midway through the second quarter. He made some careless passes and, more crucially, deferred when the Nuggets needed a leader late in the game.
“It’s a little bit of everything,” he explained in trying to articulate his issues.
Shai didn’t single-handedly win this game. Neither did Williams, Chet Holmgren, or Lu Dort. This victory also belongs to the bench, particularly Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, with assistance from Alex Caruso. When other options faltered for OKC, these players stepped up and made a significant difference. The bench performance was paramount.
Wiggins and Wallace combined for an impressive eight-for-15 shooting, including six-for-nine from three-point land. They stood out in a contest that was otherwise sloppy, contributing to the glass (11 rebounds combined) and stepping up defensively, allowing Dort, known for his defensive skills, to rest.
“That’s what we’ve been all season,” Gilgeous-Alexander commented. “We’ve had injuries, and others have elevated their roles. We’re a team that’s willing to do what it takes.”
Adelman added, “The difference was their bench lit a fire under them. They made timely three-pointers. Those guys had a significant impact.”
Oklahoma City has forged a team with both present success and future promise.
Game 3 occurred on Friday night and went into overtime. Game 4 kicked off at 1:30 p.m. local time, leaving less than 48 hours to rest and prepare for such an intense, competitive playoff matchup. Neither team was particularly pleased with the timing.
“There were a lot of weary legs out there, for both sides,” said Adelman. “At the start of the game, you could tell the players were fatigued.”
While this observation may be somewhat circumstantial, it certainly contributed to the shockingly poor shooting and overall execution from both teams, especially during the first half.
Denver was especially susceptible, as they lack the depth Oklahoma City possesses. Their starters often log over 40 minutes per game, and it became evident by the fourth quarter. This early tip-off proved detrimental; for instance, Jokić missed crucial free throws with Denver trailing 84-82.
“I had to be as creative as possible to help them keep their legs,” Adelman admitted.
Ultimately, the Nuggets felt the impact of this fatigue. There’s a substantial difference between being up 3-1 over the top seed and being tied at 2-2. That loss erased any margin for error for Denver.
“We’re 4-4 against them for the season,” Jokić noted. “We just need to give ourselves a chance.”
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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for over 25 years. You can contact him via email here, view his archives here, and follow him on X.
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