Thunder look to take down experienced Nuggets team
USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes breaks down the second-round matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets.
Sports Pulse
The 2025 NBA Playoffs continue with a thrilling and significant Game 4 in the Western Conference semifinals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver. The Nuggets lead the series 2-1, making Game 4 a crucial match in the series.
The Nuggets bounced back from a tough 43-point loss to secure a 113-104 overtime victory in Game 3 on Friday night. Although MVP finalist Nikola Jokic had an off night with eight turnovers and failed to make any shots from beyond the arc, he still managed to record 20 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists. Jamal Murray was the standout performer for the Nuggets, leading the team with 27 points and 7 rebounds, while Aaron Gordon contributed 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The other NBA MVP candidate in the game from the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also struggled in the game and finished with 18 points after missing 15 of 22 shots.
Here is how to watch Game 4 between the Nuggets and Thunder on Sunday.
As bad as the Nuggets’ offense was in the first half – with 9:45 left in the second quarter, they were 2-for-24 from the field and 0-for-15 on 3s – the small consolation was they trailed just 42-36 at halftime.
It could’ve been much worse, but Oklahoma City’s offense was only slightly better at 34% from the field and 13.6% (3-for-22) on 3-pointers. Denver ended the half 8-for-38 from the field and 3-for-22 on 3s – that’s a combined 6-for-44 on 3s.
The Nuggets drew fouls and outscored the Thunder 17-7 on free throws.
Oklahoma City MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 15 points and also had six rebounds, and Alex Caruso had nine points off the bench for the Thunder.
Christian Braun led the Nuggets with 11 points, and Denver MVP finalist Nikola Jokic’s offensive struggles continued. He was 8-for-25 shooting (0-for-10 on 3-pointers) in Denver’s Game 3 victory and was 2-for-9 shooting with 11 points, six rebounds and three steals in the first half of Game 4 Sunday. He didn’t make his first shot until 6:12 of the second quarter.
A frenetic pace and bad offense defined the first quarter.
The teams were a combined 1-for-25 on 3-pointers in the opening 12 minutes, and the Nuggets had made just two field goal attempts in the quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had eight points and five rebounds for the Thunder, and Jamal Murray scored four points. Denver star Nikola Jokic went scoreless in the first quarter but had six rebounds, and teammate Russell Westbrook checked in at the 5:34 mark and was 0-for-6 from the field, including four missed shots in a 59-second span.
The Nuggets were 2-for-22 from the field and 0-for-14 on 3s in the quarter, and their eight points matched the second-fewest points in the first quarter of a playoff game. The 25 combined points matched the fewest points by two teams in the first quarter of a playoff game.
ThunderJalen WilliamsChet HolmgrenIsaiah HartensteinLu DortShai Gilgeous-AlexanderNuggetsMichael Porter Jr.Aaron GordonNikola JokicChristian BraunJamal MurrayWhat time is Nuggets vs. Thunder?
Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder will tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 10 at Ball Arena in Denver.
Watch Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 3 on Fubo
How to watch Nuggets vs. Thunder playoff game: TV, streamDate: Sunday, May 11Time: 3:30 p.m. ETLocation: Ball Arena in DenverTV: ESPNStream: Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)Nuggets vs. Thunder NBA playoff schedule, results
(All times Eastern; *if necessary)