In a tightly-contested Game 3, the Denver Nuggets outlasted the Oklahoma City Thunder, scoring the first seven points of overtime to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Denver looked fresher later, despite a rough overall performance from its MVP candidate in Nikola Jokic.
In Game 1, the Nuggets effectively stole the contest, with a gargantuan, 42-point effort from MVP-candidate Nikola Jokic. Aaron Gordon would hit the go-ahead 3-pointer, and Denver would take the first game of the series. Game 2 was rarely close, with OKC righting the ship and coasting to a 43-point win to even the series.
Here's how X, formerly known as Twitter, reacted to the game:
Comfy offensive start here for OKC in Denver — massive after some slower offense in Memphis,
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) May 10, 2025
Thunder up, 16-8, getting into all sorts of rhythm offense.
Much needed bucket from Chet Holmgren.
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) May 10, 2025
Totally torched Nikola Jokić off the dribble there for the drive and finish.
…Chet Holmgren is cooking Nikola Jokic
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) May 10, 2025
KEEP ATTACKING CHET
— (@Three_Cone) May 10, 2025
Go. At. Jokic!
— Ryan Chapman (@_RyanChapman) May 10, 2025
See that Isaiah Joe pull-up jumper is what makes OKC different from a lot of teams. Most guys can defend like maniacs and shoot a little bit but being able to drive and/or pull up makes them brutal to defend. What are the good options?
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2025
2 corner 3-pointers for Westbrook and 2 misses. Thunder will live with that look
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 10, 2025
OKC's defense remains a swarm. OKc's offense continues to hum, phenomenal Chet quarter, terribl Joker quarter, Murray with 7 tough points and some great passes that didn't result in dimes but led to scores.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2025
The Nuggets shot 6-of-19 from the field and 3-of-10 from three in the quarter.
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) May 10, 2025
Jokic was 1-of-6 and 0-of-2 respectively. He also has two fouls.
Denver needs some shots to go down desperately. MPJ will start the second quarter. He's 2-of-2.
Heck of an opening frame for Chet Holmgren. 11p 6r in 9 min. https://t.co/ebUukrSpJd
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) May 10, 2025
Nuggets are hitting.
— TF (@ThunderFocus) May 10, 2025
Jokic headed back to the scorer's table with OKC up just one,
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) May 10, 2025
Nuggets bench more than did its job.
J Dub and Chet have been incredible
— (@Three_Cone) May 10, 2025
He's now 5-5 and 3-3 from 3 with 13 points https://t.co/wzt53Phfry
— The Daniel Bell© (@BasketballGuruD) May 10, 2025
Do you guys realize how good Chet Holmgren is going to be with how good his floor game already is? When he learns to draw fouls and gets bigger and everything sharpens? It's terrifying.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2025
Losing the non Jokic minutes is rough, but could have been a lot worse with the way they shot
— TF (@ThunderFocus) May 10, 2025
Nuggets have been disorganized getting back in transition and lost guys on the back side a few times.
— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) May 10, 2025
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) May 10, 2025
Jokic is playing so badly to have worn a literal Joker suit to work today lol
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) May 10, 2025
The Nuggets are selling out on Shai (2-of-7) and the Thunder are getting constant backcuts fro it.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2025
Great cut from Dort.
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) May 10, 2025
Chet Holmgren 1st half
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 10, 2025
16 PTS
6-11 FG
7 REB
1 BLK
J DUB DUNK RIGHT ON AARON GORDON
— (@Three_Cone) May 10, 2025
JDub muscling and bumping Aaron Gordon off his spot on the break for that dunk might be one of my favorite Jalen Williams plays of the playoffs.
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) May 10, 2025
SGA might be the best I’ve ever seen at finding space and changing speed/direction on the drive from a wing spot.
— Josh Eberley (@JoshEberley) May 10, 2025
The duality of man. pic.twitter.com/bARPy6eRdL
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2025
If Thunder can’t hit threes, they are in big trouble.
— Tayler Peterson (@Tayler_P15) May 10, 2025
Jokic through 3 quarters pic.twitter.com/CJ1mPo6CaD
— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) May 10, 2025
If OKC hit free throws and threes they’d be winning this game by more but unfortunately coulda, woulda, shoulda
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) May 10, 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shooting the gap there and kicking out to Lu with a swing pass to an AC open 3 is good stuff. AC has canned his last two triples both wide open looks. OKC up by 3.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 10, 2025
The split Shai just put on the double to get to the lane and get Denver in rotation
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2025
My goodness, Jalen Williams has been impressive with his improved handle, which feels like it is getting better every game this season.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 10, 2025
I keep thinking that Joker gets a call and then will be satisfied but nope, tries again to draw one underneath.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2025
Nervous https://t.co/9CMqdSLusV
— Dylan Painter (@CoachPainterOK) May 10, 2025
Well
— TF (@ThunderFocus) May 10, 2025
Well
Well
Which star will show up down the stretch or which role player is gonna make a huge impact
— The Daniel Bell© (@BasketballGuruD) May 10, 2025
They have missed so many bunnies....
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) May 10, 2025
You gotta thank your lucky stars Jokic is missing these
— Stan Him Boomer Sooner (Hunter Harjo) (@hunterharjo7) May 10, 2025
MASSIVE Jalen Williams three, 100-99.
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) May 10, 2025
Jalen Williams
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 10, 2025
4TH QUARTER DUBBBBBB
— ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (@ZaySnappin) May 10, 2025
Jalen Williams oh my god
— Lu Dort Fan Account (@LuDortBurner) May 10, 2025
Jalen Williams has been the best player on a court including some All-Timers,
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) May 10, 2025
Statement game from him, win or lose.
Aaron Gordon is just absolute nails, man.
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) May 10, 2025
Tie ball-game.
AARON GORDON AGAIN
— Sean Davis (@Sean_Davi) May 10, 2025
This level of hero ball is just mind boggling.
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) May 10, 2025
I just don’t understand the offensive process or the quarter Shai has had.
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) May 10, 2025
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 10, 2025
Timeout Mark Daigneault, it is all Denver in this OT after that tough Jamal Murray bucket. Nuggets in control 109-102.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 10, 2025
That's a 7-0 run from the Nuggets to start overtime. Timeout Thunder with 3:02 to go after Murray's steal and transition layup.
— Vinny Benedetto (@VBenedetto) May 10, 2025
Shai's been awful with his decision-making late. Has tried to take the entire thing on his shoulders when JDub has 30 and they're loading up everything on Shai drives.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 10, 2025
About as bad of a start to OT as possible. But three minutes is plenty of time to rectify that. Problem is that Denver looks far more comfortable here.
— Matt Ravis (@mattravis) May 10, 2025
— Thunder Brasil (@BrasilThunder) May 10, 2025
wow. Denver is going to win this game
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) May 10, 2025
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!