{"id":37659,"date":"2025-05-16T19:01:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T19:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/37659\/"},"modified":"2025-05-16T19:01:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T19:01:10","slug":"thunder-vs-nuggets-grades-julian-strawther-foul-trouble-spell-trouble-for-okc-in-game-6-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/37659\/","title":{"rendered":"Thunder vs Nuggets grades: Julian Strawther, foul trouble spell trouble for OKC in Game 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

DENVER \u2014\u00a0Gear up for Game 7<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Nuggets fended off the Thunder 119-107<\/a> Thursday night in Denver.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get to the grades.<\/p>\n

MUSSATTO: OKC Thunder needs more from Jalen Williams to oust Nuggets from NBA Playoffs in Game 7<\/a><\/p>\n

Foul trouble: D<\/p>\n

It plagued the Thunder<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander picked up his fourth foul 90 seconds before halftime. It was a silly frustration foul after he committed a turnover.<\/p>\n

Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams both had three fouls in the first half. Williams played heavy minutes in the first half in large part due to Hartenstein\u2019s foul trouble.<\/p>\n

The foul trouble knocked the Thunder off rhythm, and OKC never really recovered.<\/p>\n

REQUIRED READING: How OKC Thunder gave Denver Nuggets hope in Game 6, ‘most dangerous thing’ in NBA Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n

Thunder free-throw shooting: C-<\/p>\n

The Nuggets doubled up the Thunder from the free throw line \u2014\u00a032 attempts for Denver to OKC\u2019s 16.<\/p>\n

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Back to the foul trouble \u2026 OKC committed 28 fouls to Denver\u2019s 16.<\/p>\n

Making matters worse, the Thunder didn\u2019t capitalize on its rare trips to the line. It made 10-of-16 foul shots. SGA missed three free throws (8-of-11). Chet Holmgren was 1-of-3.<\/p>\n

CARLSON: Thunder falls into cauldron of a Game 7 after failing to eliminate Nuggets<\/a><\/p>\n

Cason Wallace: A<\/p>\n

Wallace had 10 points, three rebounds and three steals in the first half. He hit a pair of corner threes and chased down a loose ball before slicing through the middle of Denver\u2019s defense for a layup.<\/p>\n

And when Lu Dort was on the bench, it was Wallace who made life tough for Jamal Murray.<\/p>\n

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5 TAKEAWAYS: OKC Thunder fails to close out Denver Nuggets, sending series to Game 7 <\/a><\/p>\n

Turnovers: C<\/p>\n

The Thunder\u2019s edge in the turnovers battle has been consistent throughout the series. Until Thursday.<\/p>\n

OKC had three fewer turnovers (11) than Denver (14), but points off turnovers was tied 17-17.<\/p>\n

More: When will 2024-25 NBA awards be announced? Schedule set for most winners<\/a><\/p>\n

Julian Strawther: A<\/p>\n

Was he the most impactful Gonzaga man on the floor?<\/p>\n

That\u2019s probably too far \u2014\u00a0Chet Holmgren had 19 points, 11 rebounds and was a plus-three in his 30 minutes \u2014\u00a0but Strawther was huge off the bench for Denver. He scored 15 points and connected on three of his four 3-pointers.<\/p>\n

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More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be the next MVP, but can he be the face of the NBA his way?<\/a><\/p>\n

\"May<\/p>\n

May 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) controls the ball as forward Peyton Watson (8) screens against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) in the fourth quarter during game six of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Denver playoff environment: B+<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t bring my decibel meter, but I don\u2019t think the Denver crowd brought quite as much juice as the Paycom Center patrons.<\/p>\n

Make no mistake, though. It was loud, and Ball Arena was packed.<\/p>\n

Fans were given free towels to wave around. Free T-Shirts > towels.<\/p>\n

More: Oklahoma City Thunder schedule: Dates, times, TV channels for 2024-25 NBA season<\/a><\/p>\n

Thunder 3-point shooting: F<\/p>\n

The road shooting woes continued.<\/p>\n

OKC shot 11-of-40 (28%) from deep. The starting lineup was 6-of-22. Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort combined to shoot 4-of-14 from 3-point range.<\/p>\n

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Aaron Wiggins was 0-of-4 from three. Isaiah Joe was 0-of-2 in his eight minutes.<\/p>\n

Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at\u00a0jmussatto@oklahoman.com<\/a>. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a\u00a0digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More: Thunder vs Nuggets score: Nikola Jokic, Denver beat OKC force Game 7 in NBA Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n

NBA Playoffs: Thunder vs. Nuggets | Western Conference semifinals<\/p>\n

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