Thunder lose 121-113 in OT against Nuggets

In their second game of the NBA restart, the Oklahoma City Thunder blew a 7-point lead with four minutes left of regulation than to lose 121-113 to the Denver Nuggets in overtime.

The Thunder is now 1-1 in the Bubble.

This would end up being a very physical game as the two teams shot over 70 combined free throws. No more evident than when Mike Muscala left the game in the second quarter after taking a scary fall.

Denver would get off to a quick start by Michael Porter Jr, who had 20 points in the first half. The Nuggets would possess the largest lead of the game, by 10, in the second quarter. Yet, the Thunder managed a short comeback and were leading 51-50 by halftime.

Chris Paul managing the tempo of the game helped lead Oklahoma City to score 30 points in the third quarter. Afterward, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would take over with 14 points in the fourth.

Last Four Minutes of the Fourth Quarter

The Thunder who leads the league in clutch games minutes played this season, were in another one tonight. With just under four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma City led 103-96.

However, the Thunder squandered the late lead and was trailing 109-108 with seconds to go. Monte Morris, who had 17 second-half points, was the catalyst for Denver’s late-game run.

After being fouled, Paul only managed to hit one of two free throws and Oklahoma City now needed a defensive stop to force overtime. Oklahoma City got that stop and sent the game to overtime tied at 109 apiece.

Overtime

Entering the game, the Thunder were 4-0 this season in games that went into overtime. Although, in this overtime, their offensive struggles from earlier in the competition returned in overtime.

The Thunder only scored four points in the overtime period. Nikola Jokic, who had a triple-double, outscored the Thunder himself in overtime eight to four.

Oklahoma City would lose a close one with a final score of 121-113. Despite not having Ferguson or Schroder, the Thunder had people step up. For example, Abdel Nader had 13 points on an efficient 83% from the field.

Yet, it was not enough as with the loss, Oklahoma City will stay put as the six seed in the Western Conference.