🏀 Denver Outlasts Thunder in Overtime Thriller to Take 2-1 Series Lead
In a dramatic Game 3 showdown, the Denver Nuggets rebounded from a historic Game 2 blowout loss with a gutsy 113-104 overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Down five at halftime and facing a late deficit, the defending champs showed resilience — tying the game with a clutch three from Aaron Gordon and dominating the extra period to retake control of the Western Conference semifinals.
🔢 Key Game Summary
- Final Score (OT): Nuggets 113, Thunder 104
- Series: Denver leads 2-1
- Halftime: Thunder led 56-51
- Clutch Moment: Aaron Gordon hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 26.7 seconds left
- OT Run: Nuggets opened OT with a 7-0 burst
🔶 Nuggets Highlights
- Nikola Jokić: 20 pts, 16 rebs, 6 asts
- Shot 8-25 FG, 0-10 from 3PT (worst playoff 3PT shooting of his career)
- 8 turnovers (career playoff worst)
- Michael Porter Jr.: 21 pts, 8 rebs, 5-6 from 3PT
- Played through shoulder injury, bounced back at home
- Jamal Murray: 27 pts, 9-19 FG
- Key fast-break layup in OT
- Aaron Gordon: 22 pts, 4-6 from 3PT
- Game-tying 3 in regulation; continued clutch performances
⚡ Thunder Recap
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 18 pts, 13 rebs, 7 asts
- 7-22 FG, 1-6 from 3PT
- Only 3 pts in 4Q and OT combined (1-8 shooting)
- Jalen Williams: 32 pts — most effective Thunder player
- Team Edges:
- Rebounds: Thunder 54 vs Nuggets 49
- Turnovers: Thunder 11 vs Nuggets 14
- FG Attempts: Thunder 104 vs Nuggets 85
- But couldn’t convert late-game chances
🧠 Analysis Takeaways
- Denver’s poise and playoff experience made the difference
- Despite Jokić’s off-night, the Nuggets’ depth and shooting (40% from 3PT) saved the day
- Thunder defense was excellent, but SGA’s inefficiency in crunch time hurt them
📅 Next Game
- Game 4: Sunday, May 11 — 3:30 PM ET
- Location: Ball Arena, Denver
