Nuggets Bench Steps Up as Jokić Leads the Way
The Denver Nuggets proved they’re not just a one-man show. Everyone circles Nikola Jokić as the team’s engine, but Game 6 of their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder made one thing clear: Denver’s playoff life depends on its full roster. Jokić did pretty much what’s expected—29 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists—but it was the unexpected boost from the bench that flipped the momentum.
Julian Strawther, who’d done little offensively through most of the postseason, suddenly went off for 15 points. That’s almost as many as he’s scored the whole playoffs combined until now. For a second-year guard known more for defense and hustle, it was a game defined by guts. Christian Braun delivered his best night in months, putting up 23 points, pushing the pace, and making smart cuts—exactly what Denver’s been missing in some close losses. And Jamal Murray, never one to shrink under pressure, brought his playoff scoring touch back with 25 points.
The Nuggets needed this burst. Each time the Thunder threatened a comeback, Denver had an answer—not just from Jokić, but from every rotation player. Head coach David Adelman, who took over mid-season, has somehow coaxed career-best performances out of his young guys right when it matters most. In fact, Adelman now boasts more playoff wins than regular-season victories as acting head coach, which says something about the wild ride Denver's been on.
Thunder Lean Too Hard on SGA
If the Oklahoma City Thunder are heading back home for Game 7 with nerves, you can’t blame them. Sure, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander keeps dropping big numbers (32 points in Game 6), but the cracks are showing. Jalen Williams couldn’t find his rhythm all night, sinking just three shots out of sixteen attempts. That’s brutal when you’re supposed to be the second scoring option. The rest of the Thunder’s rotation—young, fiery, but inconsistent—wasn’t up to the moment.
That heavy load on SGA isn’t new. Even in their first-round sweep of Memphis, he had to take nearly every tough shot. But his field goal percentage was barely above 40%, and his three-point shooting dipped to 25%—uncomfortably low for a player carrying so much of the offense.
Now, everything comes down to Game 7 in Oklahoma City. The Thunder haven’t been this close to the conference finals since 2016, when a very different team made a playoff run with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. This time, it’s a younger roster, a bit raw, but talented—and the pressure will be real when the ball tips on Sunday afternoon.
For Denver, this Game 6 win showed the value of depth behind their superstar. If the bench can repeat this type of performance and Jokić keeps doing Jokić things, they’ll be tough to beat in the winner-take-all finale.