aaron Gordon delivers 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists as the nuggets pull away from the Thunder in OT.
DENVER — As this game progressed through a tight first half, a competitive third, tense fourth and up-for-grabs overtime period, one very notable question demanded an answer:
Which team woudl bail out its Kia MVP candidate?
Nikola jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are two finalists for the award, the winner of which could be revealed next week, but both struggled in Game 3 of their West semifinal that flipped Friday.
And in an even more unlikely scenario, it was the Denver Nuggets — who routinely crumble whenever Jokić is either on the bench or misfiring — who outplayed the deeper Oklahoma City Thunder when it counted.
Therefore, the best-of-seven has a leader, and it’s the Nuggets, up 2-1 wiht Game 4 (Sun., 3:30 ET on ABC) also at Ball Arena, after a 113-104 decision. They overwhelmed the Thunder in the extra period,scoring 11 of the 13 total points all because of a role reversal — it was Jokić’s teammates picking him up instead of vice-versa.
“It was so close, we just had to hang in there,” said the Nuggets’ Michael porter Jr. “Onc we got it overtime, we knew we had the momentum.”
Here are five takeaways from the Nuggets’ win and the top-seeded Thunder, who won 68 games this season and swept through the first round, suddenly facing adversity for the first time in 2025:
1. Jokić lost his rhythm, never found it
He can make a case for being the league’s best player of the last half-decade, or more. And he’s a three-time Kia MVP. That’s why it seems so — weird? — when Jokić looks shook as he did,not only Friday,but Game 2 as well.
Maybe it’s just a phase, a temporary blip. Whatever it is, the Nuggets can’t expect to assume a bigger lead in this series or even win another game unless Jokić snaps this spell.
They were blessed Friday. Gilgeous-Alexander was just as chilly and the Nuggets made all the big plays down the stretch. Can they count on that again if Jokić is merely ordinary?
He missed all 10 of his 3s and obviously lost confidence because he began passing up chances. After his final miss at the fourth-quarter buzzer, he went to the bench and screamed in frustration.
But, there rnrnrnrn
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<html> <head> <title>nuggets Seize Series Lead after Overtime Thriller Against Thunder</title> </head> <body> <h1>Nuggets Seize Series Lead After Overtime Thriller Against Thunder</h1> <p> Denver,CO - In a tense and tightly contested Game 3,the Denver Nuggets emerged victorious against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 113-104 overtime win,taking a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series. The Nuggets' ability to rally and support their star player, Nikola Jokić, proved to be the deciding factor in a game where both MVP candidates struggled to find their rhythm.Game 4 is set for Sunday at Ball Arena. </p> <h2>Nuggets Overcome Jokić's Struggles to Secure Crucial Victory</h2> <p> Despite an uncharacteristically arduous night for Nikola Jokić, who missed all 10 of his 3-point attempts, the Nuggets found a way to win.Usually reliant on Jokić's brilliance, Denver witnessed a role reversal as his teammates stepped up to carry the load. </p> <h2>Key Takeaways from Game 3: Nuggets vs. Thunder</h2> <ol> <li><strong>Jokić's Off Night:</strong> The three-time MVP struggled, displaying a rare lack of confidence and missing all his three point attempts. <li><strong>Team Effort Prevails:</strong> Denver demonstrated that it could win even when faced with the adversity of bad performance of their star player. <li><strong>Momentum Shift:</strong> The Nuggets outscored the Thunder 11-2 in overtime due to the team role reversal. </ol> <p> "It was so close, we just had to hang in there," said Michael Porter Jr., highlighting the team's resilience. "Once we got it overtime, we knew we had the momentum.” </p> <h2>Thunder Face Adversity after Dominant Start</h2> <p> After a 68-win season and a first-round sweep, the Thunder are now facing their first real test in the 2025 playoffs. </p> </body> </html> |
Nuggets Grind Out Overtime Win Against Thunder Despite Jokic’s Struggles
DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets overcame a subpar performance from Nikola Jokic to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime Friday night. Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon stepped up significantly, leading the charge in a game where the reigning MVP struggled to find his rhythm.
murray’s Tireless Effort Fuels Nuggets’ Victory
Jamal Murray delivered a stellar performance, logging heavy minutes and contributing significantly on both ends of the court. The Canadian guard finished with 27 points, eight assists, and four steals, compensating for Jokic’s offensive struggles. Murray’s defensive efforts, notably against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, proved crucial, highlighted by a late steal and breakaway layup in overtime.
Gordon’s Clutch Play Seals the Deal
Aaron Gordon emerged as a key player, delivering clutch performances throughout the game. With the Thunder leading by three late in regulation, Gordon sank a corner 3-pointer to force overtime. He finished the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, consistently making critical plays when the Nuggets needed them most. Teammates praised Gordon’s readiness and impact on the team’s success.
Jokic Falters,Coach Urges Continued Aggression
Nikola Jokic had a night to forget,struggling with turnovers and missed shots. After averaging 39.5 points in the first two games of the series, Jokic’s performance dipped significantly. Despite the off night, coach Adelman urged Jokic to “just keep shooting the ball,” expressing confidence in the star centre’s ability to bounce back.
Gilgeous-Alexander Fades Down the Stretch
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, typically a model of efficiency, struggled in the fourth quarter and overtime. This unexpected dip in performance was a significant factor in the Thunder’s defeat.
Thunder Seek Turnaround After Shai’s Struggles, Williams’ Spark
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder face mounting pressure to secure a victory in their series after a disappointing performance in their recent game, where Shai gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s leading scorer during the 2024-25 season, uncharacteristically struggled in the fourth quarter and overtime. However, Jalen Williams emerged as a potent offensive force, giving the Nuggets something to worry about.
Shai’s Late-Game Struggles
Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been virtually unstoppable in one-on-one situations this season, uncharacteristically missed seven of eight shots in the fourth quarter and was unable to attempt a single shot in overtime. In the crucial fourth quarter, instead of capitalizing on Williams’ hot hand – williams scored 16 points in the quarter – Gilgeous-Alexander continued to take contested shots, with solid defense from Braun. The Nuggets also appeared to have scouted Gilgeous-Alexander well, limiting his free throw attempts by not falling for his usual fakes. despite the struggles,Gilgeous-Alexander remains optimistic: “Nothing’s written,” he said. “The series is not over. I have an opportunity the next game and the game after that to make up for it. I’m optimistic and we have a lot to be optimistic about.”
Jalen Williams Emerges as Offensive Threat
Jalen Williams proved to be a major challenge for Denver, showcasing his pull-up jumper, dribble game, and ability to attack the rim. Williams’ aggressive play forced the Nuggets to reconsider their strategy of doubling Gilgeous-Alexander. he finished with a playoff career-high of 32 points, keeping Oklahoma City in the game. Chet Holmgren also started strong. He posted 18 points and 16 rebounds; however, like the Thunder in general, Holmgren faded, scoring only two points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Series Implications
With the series potentially taking a “seriously hard turn,” the Thunder need to find answers quickly.Another loss would put them in a 3-1 hole, raising serious questions about their chances of advancing, particularly if the nuggets win the next game. A source close to the team believes Gilgeous-Alexander is poised for a bounce-back performance. “He’ll be great in Game 4,” the source said.
“MultiVersus” Relaunch Date Announced by Warner Bros.Games
BURBANK, Calif. – Warner Bros. Games has announced that “MultiVersus,” the free-to-play platform fighter, will officially relaunch on May 28th.The game promises a rebuilt experience utilizing Unreal Engine 5, boasting enhanced visuals and gameplay mechanics.
Revamped “MultiVersus” Set to Deliver Enhanced Gameplay and Visuals
The relaunch follows a period where the game was taken offline to undergo significant revisions based on player feedback.These include improvements to the netcode, character movesets, and overall game stability.”MultiVersus” aims to offer a more polished and engaging experience for both new and returning players.
What’s New in the Relaunched “MultiVersus”?
Players can anticipate a variety of fresh content and features upon the game’s return:
- New Characters: Additional fighters from Warner Bros. Revelation’s vast catalog of properties will be added to the roster.
- New Stages: Battle it out in a range of imaginative environments inspired by iconic franchises.
- Updated Visuals: Experience the game’s characters and stages with improved graphics, thanks to the move to Unreal Engine 5.
- Improved Netcode: Expect a smoother online experience with reduced lag and better connectivity.
Free-to-Play Model to remain Intact
“MultiVersus” will retain its free-to-play model, allowing players to access the game without initial cost. Revenue will likely be generated through cosmetic items, battle passes, and potentially early access to new characters.
“MultiVersus” Returns May 28th: What to Expect From enhanced Platform fighter
Warner Bros. Games is banking on the relaunch to reinvigorate “MultiVersus” and establish it as a leading contender in the platform fighter genre. The game’s accessibility, diverse character roster, and improved gameplay are key components of this strategy. The community eagerly awaits the May 28th relaunch to see if these changes deliver on their promise.
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How might the Thunder adjust their offensive strategy in Game 4 to better support Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and prevent a repeat of his fourth-quarter/overtime struggles?
Nuggets Seize Series Lead After Overtime Thriller Against Thunder
DENVER — A thrilling Game 3 saw the Denver nuggets take a 2-1 lead over the Oklahoma City thunder in their Western Conference semifinal series. The Nuggets secured a 113-104 overtime victory, overcoming struggles from Nikola Jokić, while the Thunder faced adversity after a strong regular season.Game 4 is set for Sunday at Ball Arena.
Key Takeaways:
- Jokić’s Off Night: The three-time MVP struggled to find his rhythm, missing all of his three-point attempts.
- team effort Prevails: The Nuggets demonstrated their ability to win even when their star player falters.
- Momentum Shift: Denver outscored OKC 11-2 in overtime, showcasing a role reversal.
“It was so close, we just had to hang in there,” said Michael Porter Jr., highlighting the team’s resilience. “Once we got it overtime, we knew we had the momentum.”
Thunder face Adversity After Dominant Start
After a 68-win season and a first-round sweep, the Thunder are now facing their first real test in the 2025 playoffs.
Nuggets vs. Thunder: Q&A
Q: What was the biggest factor in the Nuggets’ win?
A: The Nuggets’ ability to rally around each other and compensate for Nikola Jokić’s off night. Aaron Gordon’s clutch plays and Jamal Murray’s strong performance were key.
Q: How did the Thunder’s Shai gilgeous-Alexander perform?
A: Gilgeous-Alexander struggled in the fourth quarter and overtime, missing crucial shots.However, Jalen Williams stepped up.
Q: What’s the importance of the Nuggets taking a 2-1 lead?
A: The Nuggets are now in a strong position to advance, but the series is far from over. Game 4 is crucial for the Thunder to avoid going down 3-1.
Q: What adjustments might we see in Game 4?
A: The Thunder will likely focus on getting Gilgeous-Alexander back on track. The Nuggets will hope Jokić regains his form. Expect strategic adjustments from both teams.
Trivia: The Nuggets’ victory marks a rare instance of a team winning in the playoffs despite their MVP candidate struggling.
With the series intensifying, Game 4 is a must-watch. Tune in to see if the thunder can bounce back, or if the Nuggets will extend their lead.
