Nuggets Outlast Thunder in Overtime: Denver Seizes Game 3 With 113-104 Win

Nuggets Escape in Overtime After Gritty Duel With Thunder

The Denver Nuggets just flipped the script on the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 113-104 overtime win that had everything fans crave from an NBA playoff game—wild swings, tense defense, and a big shot when it mattered most. The Nugget’s win didn’t just turn heads; it may have steered the Conference Semifinals series in their favor.

Jamal Murray set the tempo for Denver, pouring in 27 points and controlling the floor. You could see his intent from the start—he wasn’t settling for outside looks alone, attacking OKC’s interior when help rotated away. Nikola Jokić, the heartbeat of the Nuggets, pulled double duty yet again. He anchored Denver on both ends, setting up teammates, orchestrating the offense, and making sure nobody slacked off defensively when the game got tight.

But the turning point? That belonged to Aaron Gordon. Down three with the clock slipping away, Gordon nailed a clutch corner three that tied the game and sent the Denver bench into a frenzy. That shot didn’t just tie it up; it deflated Oklahoma City right before overtime began—and the Thunder never quite got their mojo back.

Shooting Woes and Stat Sheet Battles

This wasn’t a cakewalk, though. Oklahoma City hit the glass hard, grabbing 54 boards compared to Denver’s 49. The Thunder racked up second-chance chances, but their shooting was nowhere close to snuff. They finished at just 38.5% from the field—and a lowly 25.7% from deep. Chunky misses killed their rhythm, especially late in the fourth and into the extra period. Sure, they got some hustle buckets, but those missed jumpers kept giving Denver windows to strike back.

There were some bright spots for OKC. Joe—who came off the bench—delivered a perfect performance: 14 points on 5-for-5 shooting, including 4-for-4 from beyond the arc. In just 17 minutes, he provided the spark off the bench most teams dream of. Trouble is, the Thunder couldn’t extend that chemistry across their lineup when it mattered most.

Defensively, Denver looked dialed in, especially when it came to transition. By the numbers, the Nuggets forced 20 points off Thunder turnovers and held them to just 16 fast-break points. That made life tough for OKC, which feeds on getting out in transition before defenses can reset.

Denver’s shooters, meanwhile, stayed cool when things heated up. They shot an efficient 40% from the three-point line and hit 79.2% of their free throws. It’s the kind of calm shooting you need in a playoff cauldron—especially in a game where every possession is a fistfight. The difference became starker in overtime: Denver’s poise and OKC’s fades in execution stood out. Those little details—making just one more shot, forcing just one extra turnover—added up fast.

This win means more than just a 2-1 series lead. The Nuggets proved they can execute under playoff pressure, find contributions from up and down their roster, and squeeze out a win even when the opponent outrebounds them. For OKC, rebounding and hustle will need to be matched with better offensive execution if they want to dig back into the series. Game 4 just got a whole lot more interesting.