Murray Leads Nuggets to Overtime Victory Over Thunder

The Denver Nuggets edged the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-104 in overtime, taking a 2-1 series lead. Jamal Murray scored 27 points to lead Denver.

The Denver Nuggets took a 2-1 series lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder with a thrilling 113-104 overtime victory. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 27 points, while Aaron Gordon contributed 22 points, including a crucial three-pointer that forced the game into overtime.

The Nuggets, seeking to bounce back from a rout in Game 2, had to fight hard throughout the contest, which saw 15 lead changes. The fourth quarter was particularly intense, with six lead changes and neither team ever holding more than a three-point advantage. However, the Nuggets dominated in overtime to secure the win.

Nikola Jokic, Denver's reigning NBA MVP, had a modest game, scoring 20 points and grabbing 16 rebounds on 8-of-15 shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a strong contender for this season's MVP award, also struggled, scoring 18 points on 7-of-22 shooting.

Despite their stars' off nights, the Thunder remained competitive, thanks to strong performances from Jalen Williams, who led the team with 32 points, and Chet Holmgren, who added 18 points and 16 rebounds. The Thunder entered the series as favorites, having led the league with 68 regular-season victories and holding the top seed in the Western Conference.

The Nuggets seized control in overtime, with Nikola Jokic driving for the first basket and Michael Porter Jr. adding a crucial three-pointer to give Denver a 107-102 lead—their largest of the game. From there, the Thunder struggled to mount a significant challenge.

”It was everybody,” Jamal Murray said, crediting his team's collective effort. “They're a great team. They tested us all night, and we were able to stick with it and get the win. So it was a good team win,” he added. The Nuggets will look to extend their series lead when they host Game 4 on Sunday.

Murray remained cautious, noting, “It's a step in the right direction,” but acknowledging, “We know we can be better than this.”