Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder have been neck and neck throughout their Western Conference Semifinal series.
After grabbing a 2-1 lead with a 113-104 overtime win in Game 3, the Nuggets appeared to have the edge. But Nikola Jokic and his team have since dropped back-to-back games to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the surging Thunder.
With Monday’s 112-105 loss in Game 5, the Nuggets now trail 3-2 in the series. Despite entering the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead, Denver was outscored 34-19 in the final period, allowing Oklahoma City to move within one win of the Western Conference Finals.
Still, with Game 6 set to return to Denver, Jokic and the Nuggets remain confident. Drawing from their 2023 championship pedigree, the team isn’t rattled by the deficit. Jokic made that clear following the Game 5 loss.
“We’re not going to just give them Game 6,” Jokic said. “We’ll be playing in front of our crowd. Aside from Game 2, every game has been close. We’ve been right there. So I think we have a chance, and we will play our best.”
Jokic poured in 44 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in Game 5, snapping out of a personal slump. In the previous three games, he had averaged 21.3 points on just 33.3% shooting from the field and 18.2% from deep, while committing 16 turnovers. Monday’s performance—17-of-25 shooting and 5-of-7 from three—suggests the MVP has rediscovered his rhythm. Jamal Murray also chipped in 28 points in 42 minutes.
While Jokic admitted the loss stung, he emphasized his consistent approach: “It’s not enjoyable (to lose), but every close, competitive game is enjoyable for me—whether it’s the playoffs or Game 1 of the season. I try to treat every game the same way. That’s the key to being prepared.”
The Nuggets remain confident in their ability to come back and win the series. They know it takes four wins to advance, and they don’t believe the Thunder will get that fourth win easily—not with Game 6 in Denver and a potential Game 7 looming.
Jokic’s message was clear: the Nuggets aren’t done yet.