The Sam Presti and Mark Daigneault partnership began with a 22-50 finish in 2020. But they planted the seeds, showered them with water and provided sunlight until they blossomed in 2023.
The NBA Playoff Pagoda is a treacherous one, though, requiring restarts and experience. Well, the Thunder were primed and ready for a run this season, as they finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA, then swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.
The Denver Nuggets mastered the NBA Playoff Pagoda two seasons ago, resulting in hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy. And that experience helped them win two of the first three games of this series.
The upstart Thunder took the next two games and looked poised to advance to the next round.
But, but, but….
….The championship DNA surfaced once again like the dinosaurs at Jurassic Park, resulting in a 119-107 win in Game 6 for Denver.
Both teams shot 46% from the field, but Denver had the edge in treys — 12-for-32 compared to 11-for-40. Denver had 52 rebounds vs. 40 for OKC, but the biggest discrepancy was at the free throw line. Denver went 27-of-32 while OKC went 10-of-16.
Nikola Jokic ($11,300; 66 FPTS) predictably led the way with 29 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, a block and two steals in 41 minutes. He shot 9-of-14 from the field, 1-of-3 from downtown and 10-of-12 from the line.
His partner in crime, Jamal Murray ($7,400; 44 FPTS), contributed 25 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and a block in 42 minutes. He shot 9-of-19 from the field, 2-of-6 from downtown and 5-of-6 from the line.
After a horrific Game 5 in which he shot 3-of-12 from the field, Christian Braun ($5,500; 54.25 FPTS) bounced back in a big way, draining 8-of-14 from the field and 3-of-6 from downtown for 23 points. He also chipped in 11 rebounds, five assists, a block and three steals.
Julian Strawther ($3,000; 19 FPTS) was a DNP in Game 3 and received six, 14, five and 10 minutes of playing time in the other four games. On Thursday, he played 19 minutes and put up 15 points and two rebounds. He shot 4-of-8 from the field, 3-of-4 from downtown and made all four of his free throws.
For the Thunder:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($9,800; 44.75 FPTS) led the team with 32 points, three rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes. He was blistering hot, converting 11-of-16 from the field, 2-of-4 from downtown and 8-of-11 from the line.
Chet Holmgren ($6,900; 40.75 FPTS) stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, 11 rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal in 30 minutes.
Jalen Williams ($7,200; 36.25 FPTS) had a rough shooting night, going 3-of-16 from the field for six points. He did chip in seven rebounds, 10 assists, a block and three steals.
Alex Caruso ($4,200; 22.5 FPTS) and Cason Wallace ($3,300; 21.5 FPTS) both played 27 minutes and scored 10 points. Caruso dished out four assists while Wallace grabbed four rebounds. Caruso had a block and two steals while Wallace racked up three steals.
Game 7 is Oklahoma City on Sunday.
