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Featured Image: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Thunder Silence Doubts In 121–111 Win Over Denver

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Demilade Adelekun | Last updated Feb 2, 2026 5:56 PM ET

The Thunder beat the Nuggets 121-111, foreshadowing a potential Western Conference final matchup. This victory came after a poor stretch for the Thunder. They lost three of their last four matches, with the most recent being against the Timberwolves. This naturally caused a lot of negativity to swirl around OKC. Is a slump predictive of one? With the former MVP, Nikola Jokić, returning, with his second game back from injury, it looked as though it was going to be a tough matchup for the Thunder. This was, however, a great showing for OKC. They took Denver stars Jokić and Jamal Murray out of the game, and had one of the best offensive showings of the calendar year. The Thunder vs Nuggets game reassured that OKC is still a force to be reckoned with both in the Western Conference and the entire NBA.

Thunder Silence Doubts In 121–111 Win Over Denver

Gilgeous-Alexander And Wallace Power Elite Offensive Night

It’s impossible to discuss this game without talking about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance. He had an MVP-caliber night with 34 points, a season-high 13 assists, and five rebounds. He not only carried the scoring load but also orchestrated the offense. Teams have consistently tested him as a playmaker throughout the game. Cason Wallace also had a stellar performance. Wallace recorded a career-high 27 points while knocking down a career-best seven 3-pointers. He’s typically known for his defense, but in this game, every look he saw from beyond the arc, he capitalized. This game against Denver was an elite offensive showing for OKC. Their offense, and more specifically their ability to shoot the three-ball, has been in question during their poor run of games. Seeing them shoot 40% from three versus a team that they will likely see in the playoffs definitely relieves worries.

Defensive Adjustments Limit Jokić And Murray

Feb 1, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) controls the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) guards in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

This game was a defense bounce-back after a tough showing against Minnesota. OKC’s defensive plan was clear from the start. They wanted someone outside of Jokić and Murray to beat them. Rather, it was in isolation or pick-and-roll actions. OKC made sure everything was difficult. Both stars consistently saw extra help, forcing them to pass rather than shoot, often leading to errors. The pair combined for only 28 points with seven turnovers. Peyton Watson, however, had a standout night in their absence. He finished with a team-high 29 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

OKC Steadies Itself After A Turbulent Stretch

This game served as a needed reset for OKC. The Thunder vs Nuggets game directly addressed the offensive concerns facing the team. The fixture showcased SGA’s ability to pass the ball and the reliability of OKC’s outside shooting. Additionally, they proved that they still have the most lethal defense in the league. The Thunder are looking as though they are regaining the form in which they can beat any title-contending team on any given night. OKC will look to build on this momentum as they are set to host the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, who are coming off a nine-point loss to the Spurs.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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