Thunder Get Lucky Break with Nuggets Injury

This would be perfect for the Thunder, as Westbrook has been lackluster in this series. He has been turning the ball over and shooting an abysmal 18.5 percent from deep. Westbrook also makes the Nuggets smaller, allowing Oklahoma City to have the upper hand in matchups. This will be what benefits the Thunder the most with this injury.

Even if Gordon does play, you can expect him not to be a factor. His shooting numbers will go down, and he will not be as mobile on the defensive end. This would cause Nuggets head coach David Adelman to pair someone else with Jalen Williams, making defensive matchups easier. Chet Holmgren can move on to Michael Porter Jr., while Jalen Williams guards Westbrook. This injury makes the matchups on both ends of the court go in the Thunder’s favor.

Players Benefiting From the Injury

If Gordon cannot play in Game 7, Jalen Williams will benefit the most. It will be easier to drive in and not worry about a rim protector down low. Gordon was that rim protector; now, it has to fall onto Nikola Jokic, which in turn leads to easy buckets.

Williams has struggled in this series, shooting 33.7 percent from the field. Serving as the second option on the Thunder, he simply has to be better. He has been there on the defensive end, but his offense has cost the Thunder some games. In Game 6, he was absent, shooting 3-for-16 in a crucial game. Now, with Gordon suffering this injury, he needs to have a big night.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should also thrive, as he loves to get into the painted area. Once again, with Jokic as the primary rim protector, it should be endless scoring down low for guys like Shai, Williams, Chet, and even Isaiah Hartenstein. Attacking him early and getting Jokic into foul trouble will be easier.

Off the bench, Aaron Wiggins should once again be saving basketball. As the primary playmaker off the bench, Wiggins will thrive with an easy-to-drive lane and work with players like Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace. Due to this injury blow to Denver, the offense should thrive Sunday night.

Final Game Plan

The final game plan should be simple. Whether Gordon plays or not, attack the paint and get Jokic in foul trouble. With Gordon injured, he will be forced to hold it down now. This opens up a world of freedom defensively, where you can trap the entire game and force turnovers. Oklahoma City should have no problem taking care of business and heading to the Western Conference Finals. Now with this lucky break for the Thunder, the path just got easier.