Thunder Secure Game 2 Victory Over Nuggets with Dominant Performance

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Oklahoma City Thunder rebounded from a Game 1 loss to win Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, showcasing a dominant performance at the Paycom Center.

After falling short in the series opener, the Thunder rallied from a double-digit deficit, ultimately securing a 122-113 victory. This marks the first time in NBA playoff history that the home team has lost all six games in a playoff series.

The Thunder started strong, scoring on nine of their first 11 possessions. Jalen Williams contributed significantly, scoring seven points in a six-possession stretch that helped push the Thunder’s lead to 29 points. They led by as many as 35 points during the game, despite shooting 50% in the second quarter after an impressive 71.4% in the first.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 18 points, while both Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook added 15 for the Nuggets. The Thunder set a playoff record by scoring 87 points in the first half alone.

“The Thunder threw the kind of first punch I’d expect from a team that suffered the kind of loss it did two days ago,” said Joel Lorenzi, a staff writer for The Oklahoman. “They were strong out of the gate, leading 25-11 early in the game.”

Chet Holmgren made an impression with two crucial blocks, as coach David Adelman praised his timing as one of the best he’s seen. Midway through the first quarter, the crowd celebrated the Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team, which recently secured a championship.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault highlighted that the free throws taken by Denver late in the game were pivotal. He acknowledged the Nuggets’ capabilities as a top offensive team, attributing some of his team’s struggles to their ability to capitalize on free throws without wasting time.

The referees for the game included crew chief Scott Foster and two other officials. The matchup started at 8:30 p.m. CT, with broadcasts available on TNT, Sling TV, truTV, and Max.

The Thunder’s strategy of utilizing a double-big lineup and their depth in the bench allowed them to shift momentum throughout the game. Coach Adelman emphasized the need to withstand the Thunder’s early energy bursts, noting that their talent extends beyond just the starting five.

With this victory, the Thunder leveled the series, as both teams prepare for the upcoming games in Denver. The Thunder’s next challenge will be keeping the momentum as they look to take a lead in the series.