Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shines as Thunder Claim Opening Game Win Against Denver
Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their season with an impressive 102-87 victory over the Denver Nuggets, thanks largely to an incredible performance by star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder managed to take control of the game with disciplined defense and dynamic scoring, showing they’re ready to compete right from the start.
The game didn’t start smoothly for OKC. Denver opened strong, building an early 18-10 lead in the first quarter, with both teams grappling for control. But the Thunder’s defense found its footing quickly, pressuring the Nuggets with deflections and contested shots. OKC surged ahead to close the first quarter with a 31-24 lead, sparking the start of a powerful defensive display that Denver struggled to counter throughout the game.
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Aaron Wiggins brought energy off the bench, especially in the second quarter. He knocked down shots inside and out, and his burst helped keep OKC in control. By halftime, OKC’s defense had forced 10 Denver turnovers, with big contributions from Chet Holmgren and others disrupting the Nuggets' flow. Even with OKC’s lead slimmed to 58-51, their defensive grip on the game continued to hold Denver’s shooters at bay.
The second half saw Denver attempt to narrow the gap with quick scoring from Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun. But each time Denver threatened, OKC responded. Holmgren’s defensive and offensive efforts made a big impact, with a key block on Nikola Jokic and a momentum-boosting dunk in transition that pushed the Thunder lead to 81-66 by the end of the third quarter. From that point on, OKC maintained a double-digit lead, staying sharp on defense while Gilgeous-Alexander continued scoring across all three levels.
Denver had chances to close in, but OKC held firm, and a missed triple from Porter in the final minutes sealed the Thunder’s win. By the end of the game, Gilgeous-Alexander’s offensive skill set shone through with 28 points on 11-for-24 shooting, while Holmgren added 25 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks in a commanding two-way performance.
In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren’s impressive showings, Wiggins added 15 points, and OKC left Denver with a solid road win. The Thunder now head to Chicago to face the Bulls on Saturday, looking to build on their momentum and start their season with a streak.
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