Whereas match 3 befell by means of a carefully disputed first half, a 3rd gravelly quarter, a fourth tense and a chaotic extension, a query planted: what workforce would have come for its candidate MVP Kia? Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander– The 2 finalists for the prize which might be introduced subsequent week – have been began to seek out their tempo in a semi -final of the Western Convention which was sliced wildly on Friday night. In the long run, the Denver Nuggets survived with a victory in extra time towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder In Ball Area, however not with out its share of controversy, challenges and momentum adjustments.
In a contact little time to come back, it was the Denver Nuggets – usually susceptible when Nikola Jokic is both chilly or out of the bottom – which survived the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder deeper When it was an important. For the reason that merger of the NBA-ABA, this was solely marked the sixth time {that a} workforce had held their opponent at two or much less in a eliminatory match in extra time.
Defensively, solely the Pacers (2003), Lakers (2004), Les Celtics (2012), Warriors (2015), Bucks (2021) and now the Nuggets (2025) have completed this uncommon feat.
Even with Nikola Jokic pulling solely 8 out of 25, the Nuggets opened extra time with a wave of seven factors and received a pivot victory of match 3 towards larger thunder on Friday night. The explosive offensive of Oklahoma Metropolis was restricted to solely two factors from the extra session, following a clutch nook three of Aaron Gordon with 26.7 seconds remaining in regulation.
Nuggets subdigate thunder
NUPS Denver NuggetThe article continues beneath
The passage from Denver to a protection of zone turned out to be a choice that adjustments the scenario. Confronted with thunder for the seventh time this season, the nuggets used their familiarity to their benefit, disturbing the move of Oklahoma Metropolis and dictating the rhythm within the part. As The chief coach of the Thunder Mark Daignault Earlier than match 3, excessive -level groups, as they see every defensive wrinkle -, however it was Denver’s adjustment that overthrew the sport of their favor.
For a big a part of the primary half on Friday, it appeared that Thunder was simply handed by means of the Denver space. Oklahoma Metropolis exploited the shortcomings early – the handhandlers broke the highest of the 2-3 shooters and located massive in house close to the rim. Chet Holmgren traveled 15 factors first half with little resistance, and Isaiah Hartenstein obtained all of the candy appears to be like he wished across the paint.
Denver survived 26 three-point bricks from the Thunder on Friday night, whereas a gaggle of usually dependable shooters solely surrendered 9-in-35 in the long run, a number of instances on open eyes. THE The Nuggets space has managed to chop the driving tracks of Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderForcing Oklahoma Metropolis to a heavy assault on the perimeter.
Though the Thunder has situated gaps within the protection, that they had bother capitalizing. Except for a robust efficiency by Jalen Williams, Oklahoma Metropolis’s offensive collapsed late, particularly within the fourth quarter and extension – the place Denver was consistently collapsed on Gilgeous -Alexander throughout isolation units and compelled the ball together with his palms.
Match 4 of the semi-finals of the West Convention between Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder appeared at 1:30 p.m. MDT (3.30 p.m. HAE) on Sunday, Might 11, 2025, in Ball Area in Denver. The sport might be distributed nationally on TNT.
