Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 20 rebounds, and 16 assists, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 124-122 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
Peyton Watson made a crucial block with just one second remaining, securing the victory and handing the Thunder their first loss of the season.
Russell Westbrook scored 29 points, while Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun each contributed 24 points. Watson finished with 10 points and three blocks. The Nuggets ended a four-game losing streak against the Thunder.
Jokic’s triple-double was his fourth of the season. Denver was missing Jamal Murray (concussion protocol) for the third game in a row and Aaron Gordon, who will be out for several weeks due to a right calf strain.
For the Thunder, Jalen Williams had a strong game with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points, and Chet Holmgren added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Joe each scored 11 points.
The Nuggets were trailing by two early in the fourth quarter when Westbrook converted a three-point play, Porter hit a 3-pointer, and Westbrook scored again to give Denver a 103-99 lead.
However, Denver went cold, missing nine straight shots, and the Thunder responded with seven unanswered points to lead 106-103.
Denver then regained the lead with a free throw from Watson, a layup from Braun, and a deep 3-pointer from Porter, making it 109-108. The Nuggets went on an 11-5 run, including 3-pointers from Braun and Watson and a putback dunk from Julian Strawther, to take a 123-115 lead. But Williams scored five straight points for the Thunder, cutting the deficit to 123-120.
With 27 seconds left, Jokic made one of two free throws, and Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a layup. Watson missed two foul shots, leaving Oklahoma City down by just two points. But Watson came up big, blocking Gilgeous-Alexander’s last-second floater to secure the win.
The Thunder led 66-55 at halftime, but the Nuggets erupted for 40 points in the third quarter. After Porter’s jumper brought Denver to within 71-62, the Thunder scored seven straight, including a technical foul on Denver coach Michael Malone.
That technical seemed to spark the Nuggets, who hit four 3-pointers during a 24-6 run to take an 89-87 lead. The game was tied 95-95 heading into the fourth quarter.
