In a thrilling encounter on Sunday, the Oklahoma City Thunder managed to overcome the Denver Nuggets with a hard-fought 92-87 victory in Game 4, equalizing their Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2. While the Thunder’s shooting percentages were far from impressive—35.6% from the field and 24.4% from beyond the arc—their resilient defense and collective effort proved decisive in this playoff battle.
Oklahoma City displayed an unwavering defensive strategy that held the Nuggets, a top offensive team, to just 31.3% shooting and forced 14 turnovers, which translated into 18 crucial points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP finalist, led the Thunder with 25 points, including a strong fourth quarter where he scored nine of those points. Despite struggling with his 3-point shooting, he found ways to penetrate the defense and capitalize on free throw opportunities, making 9 of 12 attempts.
The performance of Oklahoma City’s bench was another pivotal factor, outscoring Denver’s reserves 35-8. The bench contributions included key efforts from Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, and Alex Caruso, which helped mitigate the struggles of the starters (aside from Gilgeous-Alexander) who collectively shot an underwhelming 11-for-40 from the field.
On the other side, Denver’s star Nikola Jokic faced challenges throughout the past three games of the series. Although he managed to score 27 points in Game 4, much of his output came from the free-throw line, as he struggled to find his shooting rhythm, making only 7 of 22 field goal attempts. His previous form, where he averaged 29.6 points and 12.7 rebounds during the regular season, has been noticeably hindered against the Thunder’s defense.
Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon continued to shine for the Nuggets, with a commendable all-around performance, including 15 points and 16 rebounds. Despite a strong individual showing, the inability to convert on open shots, particularly from the three-point line where both teams struggled collectively, played a crucial role in the game.
Looking ahead, Game 5 offers a pivotal opportunity for both teams. Historically, the winner of a 2-2 series goes on to win about 81.3% of the time. This page of the playoffs promises further excitement as the teams prepare for a defining moment on Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
This matchup underscores the importance of defense and resilience in high-stakes situations. The Thunder’s ability to win under pressure, despite lacking offensive finesse, speaks volumes about their character as they push deeper into the playoffs.