Jokic, Murray and Porter Jr. bounce back to lead Denver to crucial playoff victory
You could feel the tension in the air at Ball Arena on Friday night. After the Denver Nuggets were completely dismantled in Game 2 by the Oklahoma City Thunder — a blowout so lopsided it made headlines across the league — the reigning champions knew Game 3 was about more than just the scoreboard. It was about pride. It was about poise. And most of all, it was about reminding everyone why they’re still a team to fear in this postseason.
They did exactly that.
Denver clawed their way to a gutsy 113-104 overtime win, showing resilience and grit in a Western Conference semifinal series that is shaping up to be far more intense than many expected. It wasn’t always pretty, and at times it felt like the game might slip away from them. But when the pressure was highest, the Nuggets responded.
A Gritty First Half Sets the Tone
The Nuggets found themselves trailing 56-51 at halftime, a reflection of a scrappy, low-scoring battle rather than a shooting clinic. Offensively, both teams struggled to find rhythm early. Denver, in particular, was still carrying the scars of Wednesday’s 101-73 defeat — a game where nothing seemed to work.
But this time, there was a different energy. From Aaron Gordon’s physicality in the paint to Michael Porter Jr.’s renewed confidence on the perimeter, Denver showed signs that they weren’t going to roll over twice.
Still, by halftime, it was the Thunder who had the edge. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hadn’t quite found his flow, but Jalen Williams was more than happy to shoulder the scoring load, putting pressure on the Nuggets‘ defense with sharp cuts, quick decisions, and smooth finishes.
Jokic Misses at the Buzzer, But Delivers in Overtime
Fast forward to the dying seconds of regulation. The score was tied. The Nuggets had the ball. And of course, it was Nikola Jokic who had the final look — a high-arcing turnaround jumper that kissed the front of the rim and bounced away as the horn sounded. A collective groan echoed through Ball Arena. But that miss didn’t linger for long.
Overtime belonged to the Nuggets.
Jokic, ever the composed competitor, immediately set the tone in the extra period. His driving layup gave Denver the first two points of overtime and lit a fire under the team. That bucket sparked a 7-0 run that flipped the momentum completely. Suddenly, the crowd was roaring, and the Thunder — who had battled so hard to stay in it — looked rattled.
Michael Porter Jr., who had struggled in Game 2, drilled a vital three-pointer. Then Jamal Murray, who had been orchestrating the offense with poise all night, finished a fast-break layup after a Thunder turnover. When that shot dropped, the Nuggets led 109-102 — and the game, for all intents and purposes, was theirs.
Denver’s Core Finds Its Rhythmi
Murray led the way with 27 points, playing with a blend of control and aggression that the Nuggets desperately needed. Porter Jr. rebounded from his Game 2 woes to chip in 21 points, and Aaron Gordon — often the unsung hero — added a valuable 22 points with his physical presence and smart off-ball movement.
As for Jokic, the two-time MVP didn’t have his most efficient night — far from it. He shot just 8 for 25 from the field, missed all 10 of his three-point attempts, and clearly wasn’t at his sharpest. But still, he finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds and controlled the game’s tempo when it mattered most. Sometimes, that’s what great players do: they find ways to win even when their shots won’t fall.
Head coach Michael Malone summed it up best postgame: “That’s playoff basketball. It’s not always about stats or shooting percentages. It’s about heart, and tonight we had it.”
Thunder Falter in the Final Moments
For Oklahoma City, this loss will sting. After dominating Game 2, they had a golden opportunity to go up 2-1 in the series and seize full control. But they couldn’t close the deal.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the engine of the Thunder’s offense and a legitimate MVP candidate this season, never quite got going. He finished with just 18 points on 7-of-22 shooting and went 1 for 6 from beyond the arc. His usually polished midrange game looked rushed, and the Nuggets’ defense deserves credit for crowding his space and making life uncomfortable.
Jalen Williams was Oklahoma City’s brightest spot, dropping 32 points with a mix of outside shooting and aggressive drives. Rookie big man Chet Holmgren added 18 points, continuing to show poise beyond his years. But in overtime, the Thunder were outmatched — both physically and mentally.
Series Heads Into Crucial Game 4
With the win, Denver now trails 2-1 in the series — but the narrative has shifted. What once looked like a potential runaway for the Thunder has turned into a true dogfight. And with Game 4 set for Sunday, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The Nuggets have regained confidence, and the crowd at Ball Arena will be louder than ever. But Oklahoma City knows what it takes to win on the road, and they’ll be eager to bounce back.
For the Nuggets, it’s a chance to level the series and put the pressure squarely on the Thunder’s young core. For OKC, it’s an opportunity to show they can close out tough games on the biggest stage.
Whatever happens, if Game 4 is anything like Game 3, fans are in for another classic.
