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DENVER— Throughout six intense games, the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder have delivered an exhilarating Western Conference semifinal. Now, fans are treated to an extra thrill—a Game 7.
This opportunity emerged from yet another gripping clash, as the Nuggets clawed their way to a 119-107 win on Thursday, ensuring the series would continue. After a hearty main course, dessert is now served.
The Nuggets showcased the resilience of a former champion and an unwavering will to survive at Ball Arena. They finally figured out how to maintain a fourth-quarter lead, a challenge they faced in recent outings.
The team relied on an outstanding performance from Nikola Jokić, a gutsy display by Jamal Murray, and an unexpected contribution from another player in crucial moments. The Thunder, on the other hand, struggled to assert themselves during the game and could not capitalize on their opportunities against a team that fought with desperation.
And now, the stage is set for Sunday’s Game 7 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC), expected to feature two finalists for the Kia NBA MVP and likely another unforgettable 48 minutes of basketball if history is any indication.
Here are five key insights from the Nuggets’ crucial win:
On Thursday morning, Murray felt a nagging uncertainty—not about the game, but concerning his ability to participate. Just hours before Game 6, he found himself listed as questionable for illness, prompting him to reach out for help. After taking medication and receiving an IV, he was ready.
This elimination game was a true test for Denver, and Murray, known for rising to the occasion, answered the bell. Historically, he has averaged 28 points, five rebounds, and five assists in similar situations. This time, he contributed 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
Remarkably, he managed to play 42 minutes—highest on the team—just nights after handling an entire fourth quarter without faltering.
Did he consider skipping the game due to his condition?
“No.”
What fueled his confidence?
“Team needs you.”
Murray was in his element, expertly maneuvering around defenders, hitting his stride, assisting Jokić, and ultimately forcing a Game 7. This performance underscores that despite lacking an All-Star nod, Murray consistently shines in critical moments.
Despite being listed as questionable, Jamal Murray persevered through illness, playing a pivotal role in the Nuggets’ survival.
In their previous two encounters, the Nuggets held leads of six and eight points heading into the fourth quarter but couldn’t convert. Credit goes to the Thunder for that, yet Denver hindered themselves due to poor shooting and mistakes.
So, when they entered Thursday’s final quarter with an eight-point advantage, it was not taken for granted. Interim coach David Adelman recognized the importance of managing Jokić’s minutes (who played the entire second half last game) as well as Murray’s.
“Last game I regretted not resting one of them,” Adelman reflected. “This time I had four timeouts to help with substitutions.”
He effectively used those timeouts to allow both players some time to recuperate, and the Nuggets held strong while they rested. There were a few slip-ups, but OKC never got closer than eight over the final nine minutes, thanks in part to…
In the first five games of the series, Julian Strawther had only seen 30 minutes of action—14 during a rout in Game 2 and none in Game 3—essentially serving as a benchwarmer while the Nuggets leaned on their starting players heavily.
However, with fatigue setting in, Adelman needed to find anyone from his bench capable of stepping up. Strawther delivered that night.
In perhaps the best performance of his young career, he scored 15 points—all in the second half—lightening Jokić’s load. His timely three-pointers, making 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, were crucial.
“We fed off his energy,” Murray expressed. “Super proud of him.”
Strawther played just shy of 20 minutes, nearly matching his total from the previous five games, as he fell just two points short of his entire postseason contribution.
“I understood the assignment,” he noted. “I’ve got to do it again on Sunday.”
For once, the Nuggets did not falter due to their bench. And Strawther is correct—they will need a repeat performance.
Nuggets forward Julian Strawther discusses taking advantage of his opportunity in Game 6 against Oklahoma City.
The inconsistency of Williams has been perplexing, especially given his breakout season and first All-Star selection. Yet, he hasn’t performed at that level nightly, more often appearing sporadically.
When OKC needed a supporting star to complement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32 points, Williams failed to deliver. His night culminated in a moment that captured his struggles: he got a steal and had a clear shot for a layup in the fourth quarter—only to miss it with the defense trailing.
Overall, Williams went just 3-for-16 for only six points. While he contributed in other areas with sound defense (three steals) and 10 assists, he struggled overall, hitting just 33% of his shots and a dismal 21% from three-point range throughout the series. He has only managed one impactful game (32 points in a heartbreaking overtime loss in Game 3).
Here’s a glimpse of his shooting performances: 5-for-20, 5-for-14, 2-for-13, 3-for-16.
“I hurt us tonight by not making shots,” Williams said. “I got to the positions I wanted, they just didn’t fall. That’s the nature of the game.”
Aaron Gordon had a challenging evening. He couldn’t find his rhythm, finishing with just five points and seven rebounds, raising concerns when he was stripped by Alex Caruso late in the game.
Though the Nuggets didn’t lose solely because of that play, did they lose Gordon? He immediately reached for his left hamstring, but fortunately, it was just 1:40 from the end. As he exited shortly after, it was hard to tell how severe it was.
A player reaching for a muscle is never a good sign, particularly in the later stages of the season. (Just ask the Warriors’ Stephen Curry.)
“I feel OK,” Gordon said. “We’ll see. I’ll begin the recovery process now and make sure I’m ready for Game 7.”
The Nuggets will be hoping Murray’s recuperative abilities inspire his teammate. Gordon is pivotal for the team, especially during the playoffs, having hit two game-winners and a third shot that extended a game into overtime.
The silver lining for him and Denver is that they will enjoy two days of rest between games, the first such break since April 27-28 during their initial series with the LA Clippers. Since then, the schedule has been relentless, with games every other night and travel on top of that.
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Shaun Powell has a two-and-a-half-decade track record covering the NBA. You can reach him via email, check his archive, or follow him on X.
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