Denver has been led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokić, who has been dominant throughout the series. Jamal Murray has also been an integral part of the Nuggets’ offense, while Aaron Gordon continues to be a defensive presence.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s leading scorer and MVP frontrunner, had 34 points on 11 of 13 shooting, eight assists and four rebounds in just 30 minutes.

Denver has a 32–20 record this season against teams in the Western Conference. With an average of 13.5 turnovers per game, the Nuggets have found success in possession control, going 19-8 when they prevail in the turnover battle.

Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 32 points and five assists in regulation. Jamal Murray recorded 25 points and six assists for the Nuggets in four quarters of play.

Aaron Gordon’s three-pointer with 27 seconds remaining took the game into overtime, when the Nuggets’ experience told as the 2023 champions went on an 11-2 run in the additional five minutes.

It was a miserable missed opportunity for the Nuggets, who gave up 87 first-half points while getting run off the floor at a rowdy Paycom Center.

Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the favourite for this season’s MVP award, missed 15 of 22 to finish with 18 points, while Jalen Williams led Oklahoma City with 32.