By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After squandering an early 16-point lead, the Denver Nuggets fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 127–121 overtime loss on Friday.
The high-stakes matchup between the NBA’s top offensive and defensive units turned volatile in the fourth quarter when Lu Dort was ejected. The 26-year-old guard/forward was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for unnecessary and excessive contact after tripping Nikola Jokic, sparking a heated scrum between the two teams. In the aftermath of the altercation, both the Serbian superstar and Jaylin Williams were issued offsetting technical fouls.
In his first appearance after a nine-game absence in the 2025-26 Regular Season due to a persistent abdominal strain, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made an immediate and dramatic impact. Just three minutes into the first quarter, the 27-year-old combo guard was assessed a technical foul for throwing the ball toward Jokic following his frustration over a missed call. Despite the early friction, Gilgeous-Alexander finished the night with a dominant 36-point performance, leading his team to victory.
The Joker logged 45 minutes and delivered a massive triple-double, recording 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists, along with one steal. However, he struggled with his efficiency, shooting 9-of-25 from the field and just 2-of-10 from beyond the arc. Fellow European option for head coach David Adelman, Lithuanian backup Jonas Valanciunas provided six points on 3-of-5 shooting, two rebounds, and a steal in an eight-minute stint.
The winning effort was bolstered by German starter Isaiah Hartenstein, who contributed nine points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and two steals across 25 minutes of play. Meanwhile, Serbian guard Nikola Topic remained on the bench for the duration of the contest, and Belgian teammate Ajay Mitchell continued to be sidelined as he recovers from an abdominal strain and a left ankle sprain.