Might 7, 2025; Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic (15) drives to the basket in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) within the first quarter throughout recreation two of the second spherical for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Middle. Necessary Credit score: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Pictures The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder had been shocked by the Denver Nuggets in Recreation 1 of their Western Convention quarterfinal sequence. Oklahoma Metropolis was beautiful in a Recreation 2 romp.
The Thunder’s 43-point rout Wednesday night time evened the sequence, which shifts to Denver for the subsequent two video games, beginning with Recreation 3 Friday night time.
Oklahoma Metropolis must win a type of highway video games to take again home-court benefit, which should not be a tricky activity for a staff that went 32-8 away from residence through the common season and received its first two on the highway within the playoffs.
To get at the very least one win, the Thunder must deliver the identical vitality that they had in Recreation 2 once they led by 24 after the primary quarter, scored 87 factors within the first half and had been up by as a lot as 49.
“Profitable by 100 or profitable by two, it is nonetheless 1-1, and I believe that is crucial,” Oklahoma Metropolis guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “Like I stated, particularly within the sequence, each recreation’s going to look totally different. Persons are going to make changes. It should be a distinct crowd, a distinct really feel. You are going to begin sizzling, you are going to begin chilly, all the pieces’s going to look totally different. It is essential to show the web page.”
The Thunder will possible follow their recreation plan to comprise Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic. They had been bodily with the three-time MVP and pissed off him earlier than he fouled out late within the third quarter. He completed with 17 factors, eight rebounds and 6 turnovers after placing up 42 factors and 22 rebounds in Denver’s Recreation 1 win.
Jokic gave credit score to Oklahoma Metropolis, saying just one staff performed the sport, whereas Aaron Gordon got here to his teammate’s protection.
“They’re fouling Joker first. You already know Jok is reactionary they usually do get the second man a variety of the instances,” Gordon stated. “However they’re fouling him all through the sport — level clean. Interval. And it is a factor you’ll be able to’t name each foul since you can be calling a foul each single play. However they’re fouling him. They’re a handsy staff.”
Jokic wasn’t the one one who struggled. The Nuggets shot simply 37.9 p.c from the sphere, dedicated 21 turnovers and had been outrebounded 44-38 after profitable that class by 20 on Monday night time.
Denver will lean on its championship expertise to reply because it has prior to now. The Nuggets had been routed in Recreation 3 of the primary spherical however got here again to beat the Los Angeles Clippers in Recreation 4; final 12 months they had been down 0-2 to Minnesota earlier than reeling off three straight wins.
Interim coach David Adelman stated the gamers owned their efficiency after watching the sport movie on Thursday.
“A number of guys had ideas on what they felt (Wednesday) night time,” he stated. “And that lets you transfer on and do issues higher (Friday).”
There may be additionally concern about Michael Porter Jr.’s well being. Although he’s not on the harm report for Recreation 3, Porter has been coping with a left shoulder sprain suffered within the first spherical and has struggled along with his shot at instances. He was on the bench in crunch time throughout Recreation 1, and Russell Westbrook has seen his minutes enhance.
–Discipline Stage Media
