The Oklahoma City Thunder showed their depth and toughness Friday night at Paycom Center.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points in his return from an abdominal strain, but it was Oklahoma City’s supporting cast that slammed the door in overtime, lifting the Thunder to a 127-121 win over the Denver Nuggets in a physical, emotional matchup.
From Paycom Center, Steve McGehee noted there was “plenty to see” in a game that featured technical fouls, a fourth-quarter ejection, and clutch late-game shooting.
Early fireworks set the tone
The intensity showed up immediately.
Gilgeous-Alexander picked up a first-quarter technical after an exchange with Nikola Jokic, part of what became a chippy night between two Western Conference heavyweights. Denver led 59-50 at halftime behind hot three-point shooting, but OKC kept within striking distance.
SGA finished the first half with 18 points and added 14 more in the third quarter to help the Thunder close the gap.
Dort ejection adds to the drama
The game’s biggest flashpoint came in the fourth quarter.
Lu Dort was assessed a Flagrant 2 and ejected after a hard foul on Jokic, triggering a brief scrum near midcourt and offsetting technicals on Jokic and Jaylin Williams. Despite losing one of their top defenders, the Thunder stayed composed.
The game eventually went to overtime tied at 107.
Bench delivers in winning time
Because of preplanned minute restrictions, both Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein did not play in overtime a decision communicated before tipoff.
“I hate watching pressure moments when I’m not involved,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “But the moments that I was watching, it was pretty impressive.”
It was.
Isaiah Joe knocked down a pair of clutch threes in the extra period, and Alex Caruso made his presence felt with two late triples and a momentum-changing steal.
Jared McCain praised the veteran guard’s poise afterward.
“It was amazing to watch… he’s really a true vet out there,” McCain said. “It’s really cool to see him be so calm and knock down those shots in such late-game situations.”
Thunder confidence growing
Even while sidelined late, Gilgeous-Alexander said he never doubted the outcome.
“I was 100 percent confident going into overtime… that we had a shot to win for sure,” he said.
The Thunder have leaned heavily on their depth during a stretch that has featured multiple key injuries.
“The group’s been impressive the last couple of weeks,” SGA said. “Just the way that they’ve found ways to score and win games has been very impressive.”
Looking ahead
Oklahoma City now turns to two very winnable upcoming games at Dallas and at Chicago as the Thunder continue managing minutes while pushing toward the postseason.
If Friday night proved anything, it’s this: even when the stars are watching from the bench, this Thunder team has plenty of closing power.