Sports · Basketball · 1 hr ago
Thunder beat Nuggets 96-84 as Jokic struggles in season opener
Oklahoma City beat Denver 96-84 in the Thunder’s home opener on Thursday, while the Nuggets began their season with a loss.
Nikola Jokic scored 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting, and teammate Jamal Murray made just two of 11 shots.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also struggled, but his 141-game streak of scoring at least 20 points ended as the Thunder found other ways to win.
Oklahoma City’s defense, including its work around the basket, made it hard for Denver’s stars to find good shots.
Coach David Adelman said other Nuggets must step up when opponents draw attention to Jokic and Murray.
Denver will look to bounce back when it hosts the Pelicans on Saturday.
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 96-84 in Denver’s season opener.
Nikola Jokić scored 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting in the loss.
The Thunder’s defense helped limit Denver, which made 31 of 82 shots and committed 22 turnovers.
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak of 141 games with at least 20 points ended.
Denver coach David Adelman said the Nuggets’ other players needed to step up when defenders focused on the stars.
- Who
- The Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.
- What
- The Thunder won 96-84. Nikola Jokić scored 13 points for Denver.
- When
- Thursday, in the 2026-27 NBA season opener for Denver.
- Where
- Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
- Why
- Denver struggled to shoot and turned the ball over 22 times, while the Thunder defended effectively.
Denver Nuggets
Oklahoma City Thunder
Offensive performance
Denver Nuggets
Coach David Adelman said Denver’s other players needed to make shots when the team’s stars drew defensive attention.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder starter Isaiah Hartenstein credited the team’s depth of big men and disciplined defense for containing Denver.
Oklahoma City beat Denver 96-84 in the Nuggets’ season opener.
Jokić finished with 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak of 141 games with at least 20 points ended.
- Final score
- Thunder 96, Nuggets 84
- Jokić
- 13 points; 5-of-19 field goals
- Denver field goals
- 31-of-82
- Denver turnovers
- 22
- Gilgeous-Alexander scoring streak
- 141 games with 20 or more points
4 sources
What people are saying
The other guys have to step up.
This is the best defense in the league.
We have so many bigs that just keep coming.
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