Nuggets' stars Jokic and Strawther shine in victory over Thunder, equalizing the series.
Game seven of the 2023 NBA Western Conference semi-final is heading to Oklahoma City after another bare-knuckled brawl between the Denver Nuggets and the Thunder. The series is on the line, and it's anyone's game.
Serbian star Nikola Jokic was once again the rock of a resilient Denver performance, tallying 29 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists. Jamal Murray added 25 points, while young gun Christian Braun scored 23. But it was backup player Julian Strawther who stole the show, scoring 15 points and rallying the team when it mattered most.
"That's what backups are for, to step up when the team needs it," said interim head coach David Adelman of Strawther's performance. "And tonight, he did just that."
After falling 3-2 in the series following some late missteps in Games 4 and 5, the Nuggets refused to back down. "Those losses were tough, but the series is still here," said Adelman. "We've got a group of guys that have been through it before, and we're ready for the challenge."
Oklahoma City had a prime opportunity to clinch the series after building a 12-point lead in the second quarter at Denver's Ball Arena. But the Nuggets refused to quit, rallying back to trim the Thunder lead to just three points at the break.
The teams were neck and neck for much of the third quarter until Strawther got hot, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers followed by a layup to ignite an 10-0 run. The scoring spree gave the Nuggets a comfortable 90-80 lead, and they never looked back, winning the game to force a decisive game seven.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City's scoring with 32 points, while Chet Holmgren finished with 19. But it wasn't enough to clinch the series on home soil.
"First of all, credit Denver," said Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault. "They threw a punch tonight, and we need to be ready to answer it on Sunday." The Thunder will have a chance to bounce back on their home court, but they'll need to dig deep and remain resilient if they want to take the series. The outcome of game seven will depend on who can perform under pressure and capitalize on the other team's mistakes. Buckle up, basketball fans – game seven promises to be a knockout!
"In the 2023 NBA Western Conference semi-final, backup player Julian Strawther's exceptional performance in game six, highlighted by 15 points and key shots that contributed to an impressive run, is reminiscent of the role basketball backsups play in stepping up when needed."
"Looking ahead to game seven, both teams will need to demonstrate resilience and the ability to perform under pressure, as Oklahoma City, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 32 points, aims to bounce back on their home court, while the Denver Nuggets, bolstered by star Nikola Jokic and a solid team effort, will seek to capitalize on their home-away advantage, hoping to clinch victory in the NBA."
