The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 96-84 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, overcoming a significant shooting slump from their star player. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled to find his rhythm, balanced scoring and strong rebounding allowed the Thunder to defend their home court in their season opener.

How did the Thunder overcome the star's struggles?

Despite the difficulty faced by Gilgeous-Alexander, other players stepped up to maintain the lead. Jalen Williams led the offensive charge with 21 points, while Chet Holmgren anchored the defense and controlled the glass with 12 points and 17 rebounds.

Gilgeous-Alexander, a two-time reigning MVP, finished the night with 17 points on 6-of-19 shooting. This marked the first time in 141 games that he failed to reach the 20-point threshold. His struggles were particularly evident in the first half, where he missed all seven field goal attempts, though two free throws prevented a scoreless half.

What were the key moments in the game?

After trailing by as many as nine points early on, Oklahoma City began to chip away at the Nuggets' lead. The momentum shifted in the second half through several key developments:

  • A layup by Mitchell gave the Thunder their first lead since the opening minutes.
  • Three-pointers from Alex Caruso and Gilgeous-Alexander helped build a 70-64 advantage by the end of the third quarter.
  • A late three-pointer by Gilgeous-Alexander extended the lead to 93-76 before he exited the game.

Denver's offensive challenges

For the Nuggets, it was a difficult night for the offense during their first game of the season. Denver struggled with efficiency, shooting only 38 percent from the field and 27 percent from behind the arc. Aaron Gordon provided the most consistent scoring for Denver with 20 points, while Nikola Jokic and DeMar DeRozan each contributed 13 points.

FAQ

What is the Thunder's current record?

Following this win, the Thunder have a 2-0 record for the season.

When does Oklahoma City play next?

On Sunday night, the Thunder will host the Los Angeles Clippers for their next game at home.