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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

Social Media Reacts to Nuggets Stealing Game 1 from OKC Thunder

Originally posted on Oklahoma City Thunder on SI
By Derek Parker | Last updated May 6, 2025 12:28 AM ET

In a feisty Game 1, the Denver Nuggets were able to claw back into the contest and deliver a victory at the hands of an Aaron Gordon go-ahead shot.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a white-hot first quarter, the Thunder used their stingy defense and the team leaned on the veteran play of guard Alex Caruso to grab an early lead.

Oklahoma City led for much of the game, getting ahead by as much as 14. But a slower and more deliberate pace in the second half, mixed with a gargantuan effort from MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, would allow the Nuggets to claw back into the game.

Here's how X, formerly known as Twitter, reacted to Game 1 between the Thunder and Nuggets:

Bad news: Thunder are 0-8 from 3.

Good news: Thunder are only down 20-24 despite being 0-8 from 3.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 6, 2025

The Nuggets had a well-balanced attack early. But they're also making the most of the Thunder's missed shots, and now it's OKC converting defensive stops with Alex Caruso and Isaiah Joe
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) May 6, 2025

I am formally requesting the Oklahoma City Thunder to make a 3-point shot
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) May 6, 2025

Some of the greatest footwork of all time pic.twitter.com/rqCUX4x8uh
— (@Three_Cone) May 6, 2025

Nuggets scored just 2 points in the final 4:20 of the first quarter.
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) May 6, 2025

Personally, I’d like for the Thunder to make a 3-pointer. But it would be cool to win a playoff game going 0% from 3.
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) May 6, 2025

No way OKC should be 0-10 from 3 and still up by 1. What a testament to the Thunder defense.
— Zack Low (@ZacharyLowNBA) May 6, 2025

Solid close to the quarter by the Thunder.

Shai has been sensational.

Chet has really impressed.

Just need some 3s to start falling and the game could really open up for OKC.
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) May 6, 2025

Caruso is that one college student who misses most of the semester but still gets an A+ on his final
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 6, 2025

Caruso three, Caruso steal, Caruso assist.

Starting to think this guy can play.
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) May 6, 2025

Caruso Caruso’ing. Hits OKC’s first 3 (was 0 for 10) and gets his third steal of the night, which turns into a Cason Wallace and-1. Dude’s a plus-14 in an eight point game.
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) May 6, 2025

Caruso every other defensive possession pic.twitter.com/wjYGuMorBz
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 6, 2025

THE ALEX CARUSO TRADE SAVED THIS FRANCHISE FOREVER pic.twitter.com/wSNouSFG2i
— Thunder Lead (@ThunderLead) May 6, 2025

Lu Dort is 2 for his last 2 3s. Something to think about.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 6, 2025

HALFTIME: Thunder 60, Nuggets 50

OKC has made three fewer 2-pointers but on much better efficiency than DEN. Neither team is shooting well from deep.

The home team has recorded more steals (7) than turnovers (5) so far. It won Alex Caruso’s 10 minutes by 17 points.
— Ethan Baca (@EthanBacaNBA) May 6, 2025

OKC ahead 60-50 at halftime. Thunder getting good minutes from Dort and Caruso. Shots being funneled to them (especially Dort) but they’ve got 4 of OKC’s 7 3s.

All things considered, the Jokic doubles have been effective. Closing his runway when he turns. He’s got 16 on 13…
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) May 6, 2025

Alex Caruso might be the greatest role player of all time
— Carson Breber (@Carsobi) May 6, 2025

OKC made so many absurd defensive plays in that first half
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 6, 2025

When Jokic gets a free throw it is an unbelievable feat that required high basketball IQ, timing, technique, gamesmanship and physiological warfare....When anyone else gets to the line, it is just "Flopping" https://t.co/yEROkXzKgF
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 6, 2025

I will do everything in my power to get Alex Caruso into the hall of fame
— (@Three_Cone) May 6, 2025

The fate of the universe relies on Chet Holmgren not picking up his 4th foul soon.
— Cooper Jones (@CooperJNBA) May 6, 2025

The Thunder are attacking Jokic. He just picked up his 3rd foul. He looks gassed.
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) May 6, 2025

Chet and Jokic had been hand fighting all game. Jokic finally had enough, pushed Chet, and review holds up his 4th foul despite Denver’s challenge.
— Matt Ravis (@mattravis) May 6, 2025

Every Nuggets offensive possession feels like it's being played in quicksand -- the Thunder are the sand here.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) May 6, 2025

Alex Caruso is tied for a team-high 20 points. He’s played 19 minutes.
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) May 6, 2025

Put Caruso in the role player HOF

(Via @realapp_ ) pic.twitter.com/8swQWOdIoj
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 6, 2025

Alex Caruso becomes the first player in the steals & blocks era to register 20+ PTS, 5+ AST, 5+ STL, and 2+ BLK off the bench in a playoff game
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) May 6, 2025

Every player in NBA history with 5 steals, 5 made 3s, 5 assists and 2 blocks in a playoff game:

Alex Caruso.

End of list.
— Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) May 6, 2025

I-Hart PROTECTING the rim ❌

OKC leads in 4Q on TNT pic.twitter.com/GVnB9WZ5LF
— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2025

Dub finding a rhythm, Paycom barking.

Thunder back up 10.
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) May 6, 2025

Jokic about to be OKC’s next playoff villain lol
— Matt Ravis (@mattravis) May 6, 2025

It is very seriously not reasonable to expect a lot from Murray in this series. Contract, I get it. But this is a pack of velociraptors hunting every ballhandler.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 6, 2025

Free throw merchant chants for Nikola Jokic pic.twitter.com/bvhV8JIC2j
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 6, 2025

Even as a Thunder fan it’s hard not to be amazed from Jokic here.

Willing a team on in every sense
— KindaAnnoying (@Ambavalent2964) May 6, 2025

Jokic on a generational flop run this playoffs
— caleb (@CalebGravitt) May 6, 2025

Hey -- this game would REALLY be better if there were fewer foul calls.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) May 6, 2025

Jokic went 1 vs 4 there Fair game dude
— Ian Nikkel (@IanNikkel) May 6, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander puts the Thunder up with 13.9 left in the 4th.

OKC is in the penalty here too.

Timeout Denver.
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) May 6, 2025

117-116 Thunder.

12.9 left.

Timeout OKC......
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) May 6, 2025

This game is giving heart palpitations.
— Corey DeMoss (@CoreyDeMoss) May 6, 2025

Ah, yes. One single game postseason game is why a regular season award should have gone a certain way. https://t.co/mqWTlIc8Wl
— THE UNCONTESTED PODCAST (@The_Uncontested) May 6, 2025

Nuggets steal Game 1 on an Aaron Gordon go-ahead shot.

Heart-breaker for OKC, led the whole way.
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) May 6, 2025

Denver steals game 1 of Round 2.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 6, 2025

DENVER STEALS GAME ONE

INCREDIBLE pic.twitter.com/wbkrQxVSUb https://t.co/fJsrM206E4
— Jake (@SuperiorNBA) May 6, 2025

Now that's how you beat a far superior opponent. Keep hanging in there all game knowing that you only have one real flurry against this team, and then save that run until the very end when it matters most.
— Mat Issa (@matissa15) May 6, 2025

RUSSELL WESTBROOK WITH THE ASSIST TO GORDON FOR THE WIN!
Hate it for OKC but what a calm and collected veteran play from Russell Westbrook!
— Sam Humphreys (@SamHumphreys34) May 6, 2025

The Thunder and Nuggets will play Game 2 at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7. Denver will look to take a 2-0 advantage as Oklahoma City looks to tie the series.

This article first appeared on Oklahoma City Thunder on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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