NBA Playoffs: Jokic, Strawther lift Nuggets past Thunder to force Game 7

The Denver Nuggets have reignited their playoff ambitions in dramatic fashion, thanks to a commanding 119-107 victory over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. Powered by a masterclass from Nikola Jokic and a breakout performance by Julian Strawther, the defending champions have now tied the series 3-3, setting up a winner-takes-all Game 7 in Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Jokic dominates, Strawther surprises

Nikola Jokic, the two-time NBA MVP, delivered another all-around performance when it mattered most, tallying 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists. His leadership and court vision steadied the Nuggets, particularly in the second half, as Denver flipped the script on what could have been their season-ending game.

However, the unsung hero of the night was Julian Strawther, who came off the bench to contribute a pivotal 23 points, including eight crucial points during a 10-0 third-quarter run that shifted the momentum squarely in Denver’s favor.

"Tonight we had a guy step up," said interim head coach David Adelman. “He made some shots and then our main people were still complementary. Now we’ve earned a Game 7.”

Resilience after back-to-back losses

The Nuggets entered Game 6 on the brink of elimination after surrendering back-to-back defeats in Games 4 and 5. Oklahoma City had appeared in control, even building a 12-point lead late in the second quarter at Ball Arena.

Yet Denver displayed their championship mettle, trimming the Thunder’s lead to 61-58 at halftime, and locking into a gritty defensive battle throughout the third quarter. With the score tied at 80-80 and under two minutes left in the period, the Nuggets surged on a 10-0 scoring burst, led by Strawther’s two clutch three-pointers and a driving layup.

From that point on, Denver controlled the pace and the scoreboard, never allowing Oklahoma City to close the gap meaningfully in the fourth.

Jamal Murray added 25 points, while Christian Braun chipped in 23, adding to a balanced offensive showing by the 2023 NBA champions.

Thunder’s Stars fall short despite Gilgeous-Alexander’s efforts

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points, showcasing his scoring versatility, while Chet Holmgren added 19 points in a solid outing. Despite their efforts, the Thunder couldn’t withstand Denver’s third-quarter momentum shift.

Oklahoma City head coach Mark Daigneault credited the Nuggets but remained confident about Game 7:

"Credit to Denver — they threw a punch tonight, and this series has been back and forth the whole way," said Daigneault. "We’ve responded every time, and we’ll need to do that again on Sunday. We worked hard all season for home-court advantage, and now we need to embrace this moment and be who we’ve been all year.”

Game 7 awaits in Oklahoma City

Sunday’s Game 7 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City promises to be one of the marquee matchups of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Thunder, boasting a league-best 68-14 regular-season record, are aiming to reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016. Meanwhile, Denver is looking to defend its 2023 title and return to the NBA Finals for the second time in as many years.

With high stakes, emerging heroes, and superstar clashes on both sides, Game 7 is set to be an epic conclusion to one of the postseason's most intense matchups.