By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The Denver Nuggets won the first game of the series and stole home-court advantage from the Oklahoma City Thunder — but gave it right back in Game 4.
OKC defeated the Nuggets in their second game at Ball Arena, 92–87, tying the series at 2–2 before it heads back to Oklahoma for Game 5.
The game started with both teams struggling to score, and it ended in historic fashion: the first quarter saw the fewest combined points in NBA postseason history, with Oklahoma leading 17–8 after 12 minutes.
Still, Nikola Jokić led Denver’s comeback as the Nuggets took the lead in the third quarter. It seemed like they had regained control, but the Thunder rallied in the fourth and never looked back. Jokić tried to give his team another push, and Aaron Gordon came alive in the final minutes, hitting a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 87–90. But it was too late — Jalen Williams sealed the win with two free throws on the other end.
MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace followed with 11 points apiece, while Alex Caruso and Jalen Williams added 10 each. Chet Holmgren and German international Isaiah Hartenstein scored eight points each and combined for 27 rebounds.
Despite struggling against OKC’s physical and aggressive defense, Jokić still finished with 27 points — all after the first quarter — along with 13 rebounds, four steals, three assists, and two turnovers. But it wasn’t enough.
Jamal Murray and Christian Braun each scored 17 points, while Gordon added 15 points and 16 rebounds. The rest of the Nuggets combined for just 11 points.