For 48 minutes, the Oklahoma City Thunder battled the Denver Nuggets in a tightly contested Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals. But when the game extended into overtime, everything unraveled for the top-seeded Thunder.
Scoring just two points in the extra period, OKC suffered a stunning collapse, allowing Denver to seize a 113-104 victory and take a 2-1 series lead.
The Thunder entered overtime with momentum, having clawed their way back in the fourth quarter. But once the extra period began, their offense completely stalled.
OKC’s only basket in overtime came from Chet Holmgren, who threw down a dunk early in the period. After that, the Thunder failed to convert a single field goal, missing multiple attempts while Denver capitalized on every opportunity.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray took control for the Nuggets, combining for crucial buckets that widened the gap. Denver outscored OKC 11-2 in overtime, turning a tense battle into a decisive win.
NUGGETS CLOSE OUT THUNDER IN OT 🔥
OKC was held to 2 PTS in overtime 😳 pic.twitter.com/UEfGAmZkFH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 10, 2025
A major factor in OKC’s collapse was the uncharacteristic performance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder’s star guard, who had been dominant throughout the playoffs, struggled mightily in Game 3.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 18 points on 7-for-22 shooting, including 1-for-8 in the fourth quarter. Most notably, he did not attempt a single shot in overtime, leaving OKC without its primary offensive weapon when it mattered most.
While OKC faltered, Denver executed flawlessly down the stretch. Aaron Gordon hit a clutch three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime. Once the game extended, the Nuggets wasted no time asserting their dominance.
Jokic, despite struggling with his shot earlier in the game, made both of his attempts in overtime. Murray orchestrated the offense, setting up teammates and knocking down key baskets. Michael Porter Jr. also contributed, draining a three-pointer that helped seal the win.
With the series now 2-1 in favor of Denver, OKC faces a critical Game 4. The Thunder must regroup and find a way to reignite their offense, particularly in late-game situations.
For Denver, the victory reinforces their ability to close out tight games. If they can maintain this level of execution, they’ll be in prime position to take full control of the series.
Game 4 is set for Sunday, May 11, where OKC will look to bounce back and avoid falling into a deeper hole.
