May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) checks on forward Chet Holmgren (7) after he was hit during a play against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Chet Holmgren Sounds Off on NBA Scheduling for Nuggets-Thunder

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI | By Grant Mona | Last updated May 11, 2025 6:04 PM ET

Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder was a struggle offensively in the first half, but the 1st quarter in particular raised some eyebrows.

Both teams could not find their rhythm, and the Nuggets scored only 8 points in the entire quarter. It was a game where both teams looked tired due to the tight tunraround between Game 3 and 4.

TOUGH 1st quarter for the Thunder and Nuggets pic.twitter.com/WyZzvckZrC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 11, 2025

Via @JustinRusso: "The 8 points scored by the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter of today's Game 4 were the fewest scored by a team in a postseason quarter since the Dallas Mavericks also scored 8 points in the second quarter of Game 1 of their 2024 first-round series against the LA Clippers."

The 8 points scored by the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter of today's Game 4 were the fewest scored by a team in a postseason quarter since the Dallas Mavericks also scored 8 points in the second quarter of Game 1 of their 2024 first-round series against the LA Clippers.
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) May 11, 2025

The Nuggets and Thunder played Game 3 just 38 hours prior to the tipoff of Game 4, and it was evident that both teams were feeling the effects of the altitude combined with little rest in between.

Chet Holmgren was asked during a timeout early in the half about the lack of offensive output by the two teams.

This is probably the closest thing you’ll see to a back to back in the playoffs. Late game OT and then come out and play not even a day and a half later. It’s a little bit of being winded out there.Chet Holmgren during Game 4

Chet Holmgren during the timeout when asked the historically low scoring in the 1st quarter of Thunder-Nuggets:

“This is probably the closest thing you’ll see to a back to back in the playoffs. Late game OT and then come out and play not even a day and a half later. It’s a…
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) May 11, 2025

After a 17-8 lead in the 1st, Oklahoma City was 6-of-22 from the field and Denver was 2-of-22 overall. That is the lowest combined total for a 1st quarter in NBA history, and it was pretty evident that both teams were gassed after such a quick turnaround, leading to subpar shooting.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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