NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray stopped short of promising a Game 7 but suggested it while sipping his blueberry-hued recovery smoothie after the game.
“I’m very confident,” the Denver Nuggets guard commented about their anticipated return to Oklahoma City.
Before that can happen, however, the Nuggets face the critical challenge of Game 6 on Thursday night in Denver. They must also figure out how to maintain a lead in the fourth quarter, as the Thunder have seized the last two games with impressive finishes, putting them ahead 3-2 in the second-round playoff series.
The young Thunder are quickly gaining valuable experience as they aim for their franchise’s first trip to the Western Conference finals since 2016. Meanwhile, the Nuggets must address their depth issues as they prepare for a must-win situation at Ball Arena.
“We’re going to go play in Denver, and then we’ll come back,” Murray remarked after Tuesday’s 112-105 defeat in Oklahoma City, suggesting a potential Game 7 on Sunday. “We just need to keep a positive mindset. We’re not playing poor basketball or being selfish. It comes down to making a few key stops to secure the win.”
Despite their youth, the Thunder maintain their composure, regardless of the fourth-quarter deficits they face.
In Game 4, they bounced back from an eight-point deficit in the final quarter. In Game 5, they were down nine before Lu Dort stepped up, hitting three pivotal 3-pointers in a two-minute span to help elevate the Thunder.
“We often say that it’s not about making a hero play or something out of the ordinary. It’s about being ourselves and trusting one another,” stated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 31 points in Game 5.
Denver’s starting five has logged approximately 951 minutes during the series—138 more than their counterparts from Oklahoma City. Outside of Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson, and occasionally Julian Strawther, the Nuggets lack substantial bench strength.
Additionally, in their last two losses, the Nuggets have shot a collective 12 of 44 from the field, including a dismal 2 of 24 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter.
Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić was the Nuggets’ lone bright spot in the fourth quarter on Tuesday, connecting on 4 of 6 shots. The rest of the team shot just 1 of 15 in the final period, failing to make any 3-pointers (0-for-10).
“If fatigue is an issue, that falls on me,” said Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman. “If the players are tired or their legs are weary, that’s a choice I’ve made.”
Conversely, the Thunder had nine players log at least 10 minutes of play in Game 5. This depth is part of the Thunder’s identity, as they stand as the top seed in the West after a remarkable 68-win regular season.
“Nothing has surprised us in our performances,” Gilgeous-Alexander commented. “All year, we’ve been focused on building habits to prepare for these moments. We have one more game to seize.”
Standing in their path is Jokić, who has regained his shooting prowess. He scored 44 points on 17-of-25 shooting in Game 5, following two games where he shot just 31.9%.
“I don’t think there should be any criticism aimed at ‘Joke’ as he continues to play at an all-NBA, MVP, Hall of Fame caliber,” Murray stated. “He’s been outstanding, doing everything he can to ensure victory each night.”
The Nuggets are looking for ways to revive a struggling Michael Porter Jr., who is dealing with a sprained left shoulder and has been wearing a protective pad. He managed just two points on Tuesday, missing all five of his 3-point attempts, including two in the last 68 seconds of the game.
“When he’s open, he needs to take the shot, and we encourage him to do so,” Jokić advised.
As they approach a game where the Thunder could potentially clinch the series, Jokić asserted, “We’re not just going to hand them Game 6. We are committed to playing our best.”
