The Denver Nuggets faced a disappointing end to their season, suffering a 125-93 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of their second-round NBA playoff series. Several factors contributed to this unfortunate outcome.
One major element was the refereeing decisions that allowed Thunder player Alex Caruso to play aggressively without penalty. Caruso’s impactful game weakened the Nuggets’ performance, as the team struggled against a defense that was not held accountable for its physicality. The injuries of key players also played a crucial role in determining the game’s outcome. The Nuggets’ “core four” were battling various injuries, which hindered their ability to perform at their best. Notably, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. failed to show up in key moments, further diminishing the Nuggets’ chances.
Despite the team’s struggles, Aaron Gordon’s determination stood out. Playing with a severely strained hamstring, he displayed incredible toughness by contributing significantly on the court. Gordon’s effort to rally in such a critical game will be remembered by fans, underscoring his commitment to the franchise.
Turnovers were another critical issue for Denver. The team started strong, but repeated turnovers allowed the Thunder to capitalize and shift the momentum. By halftime, the Nuggets were down 60-46, and a significant part of that deficit was attributed to the 12 points OKC scored off turnovers compared to Denver’s lack of points from such mistakes.
As the Nuggets look ahead, they can reflect on the lessons learned from this challenging playoff run. Injuries and turnovers may have derailed them this year, but the heart and resilience demonstrated by players like Gordon can serve as a foundation for future improvements. Despite the disappointment, there remains hope for the Nuggets to regroup and come back stronger in the upcoming season.