Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a victory over the Denver Nuggets with a score of 105-100 during Wednesday’s NBA action, contributing 34 points in a critical Western Conference showdown.
The Nuggets, without their star player Nikola Jokic due to lower back pain, struggled with their shooting, finishing the game with a 39.8% field goal percentage despite shooting 40.5 percent from beyond the arc. No player managed to reach the 20-point threshold.
Despite battling illness and uncertainty about his ability to play, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an impressive performance, marking his 14th game in January with at least 30 points.
“Dealing with a little bit of illness, but I (felt) good enough to play, obviously,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I wasn’t sure when I got listed. I wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to go tonight before the game, before a couple of naps, a couple of sleeps. I had enough in me to go.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets Updates
Chet Holmgren added a double-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks, while Aaron Wiggins and Vasilije Micic contributed 12 points each off the bench. The Thunder were without Jalen Williams due to a sprained ankle and Isaiah Joe due to a bruised sternum.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised the team’s collaborative effort and resilience in what he described as a “great team win.” This victory allowed the Thunder to lead the season series against the Nuggets 3-1 and avoid a three-game losing streak, with notable advantages in rebounds and free throws.
“I just thought the team, like, solved problems together,” Daigneault said. “It was a great team win. We got contributions from everybody. In a game that was obviously a grind, I was just really, really impressed with the energy that we were able to tap into tonight.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets Updates
Aaron Gordon stood out for the Nuggets with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, earning commendation from Nuggets coach Michael Malone for his all-around performance.
“I thought he was just phenomenal in terms of the effort and the aggression, the playmaking, the shot-blocking, the defense,” Malone said. “I mean, we asked a lot of him tonight. … I thought Aaron was just phenomenal across the board tonight. And it’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to get the win.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets Updates
Despite Gordon’s efforts and a late push by the Nuggets, including a critical dunk by Gordon and free throws by Jamal Murray that narrowed the gap to a single point, the Thunder maintained their lead. Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren made crucial plays in the final minutes to secure the win. He highlighted the team’s determination and focus on the present as key to their success.
“We have guys on our team who want to win and will do whatever it takes,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And no matter what’s going on, in the past and future, all you can do is control the present. And I think we did that tonight. We took it possession by possession. We gave it everything we had those possessions, and it was enough to win, and we were rewarded because of it.”
The Thunder and Nuggets are set to continue their campaigns with upcoming games against the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers, respectively.
