In a pivotal, series-defining game, the three-time league MVP laid an egg. The Denver Nuggets still won. Who could’ve imagined that a month ago?
Despite one of the worst Nikola Jokic playoff performances in recent memory, the Nuggets harnessed a heroic effort from their supporting cast to outlast the Oklahoma City Thunder in a thrilling 113-104 overtime Game 3 victory.
On a night when Jokic missed ten three-pointers and had two more turnovers than assists, the Nuggets were in serious danger of losing home-court advantage as they attempt to pull off what would be a historic second-round upset.
But in a game where the Joker played like his powers were stolen by the Monstars from Space Jam, his loyal supporting cast saved the day.
Michael Porter Jr. Redemption Game
The injured Michael Porter Jr., who shot a putrid combined 3-18 in Games 1 and 2 in Oklahoma City, dug deep and produced one of his most important performances as a Denver Nugget. While his 21 points and 8 rebounds were crucial, his performance was much more than high-level efficiency or an aesthetically pleasing box score.
Yes, Porter did splash quite a few rainbow jumpers, which look as pretty as a Colorado sunset when they're going in. However, his most impressive play of the night came via hustle. In the second half of Game 3’s rock fight, there was a loose ball up for grabs down on the Nuggets’ end of the floor.
Porter, sprained shoulder and all, was the first player on the ground, and he fought tooth and nail for possession with Thunder Guard Lu Dort, who’s built like an inside linebacker. Porter, who’s bum left shoulder was hit hard by the diving Dort, was able to fend off the heavy guard for just long enough to force a jump ball, which he won.
While this play will be forgotten in the grand scheme of this game, it illustrated that Porter cares about winning just as much as any player in a Nuggets uniform, and last night, he played up to that hefty contract.
A Jamal Murray Masterpiece
Inconsistent. This has always been the word that naysayers have used to label the streaky Jamal Murray. While it’s a fair critique at times, do you want to know the one thing about Murray that is consistent? In big moments, when the Nuggets' season hangs in the balance, when they absolutely need him to step up, he usually does. The dude is just clutch.
Jokic and Murray’s long-time partnership as a duo was once famously coined as “Peanut Butter and Jelly.” Well, on a game where Peanut Butter struggled mightily, Jelly turned in an absolute masterpiece.
Jamal Murray deserves massive credit for his passing, timely shotmaking, and defense in the clutch of Game 3. Not only was he the best player on the floor for Denver last night, the guy played 48 freaking minutes while being HOUNDED by Dort and Carson Wallace.
Murray hit acrobatic finishes at the rim, grabbed four steals, and had eight assists with only two turnovers. And oh yeah. He had the audacity to attempt a poster dunk on Chet Holmgren.
The Nuggets aren’t ahead in this series because they are a better basketball team. It's because they are tougher. More resilient. No one epitomized that better last night than the exhausted Murray, who dug deep to find another gear on BOTH ends of the floor.
Aaron Gordon does it again
As happy as Nuggets fans should be right now, it’s sobering to think that without two Aaron Gordon transition threes, the Nuggets would be down 0-3 right now. Think how ridiculous that sentence would have sounded a year ago. Yet it’s true, and Mr. Nugget deserves all the credit in the world.
This offseason, Aaron Gordon set out to turn a weakness into a strength, and it has paid off. He has officially proved to the league that he is a three-point sniper, and you do not want to leave him open from beyond the arc in any situation.
Beyond his role as a defensive anchor, a bully in the paint, and now, a marksman, Aaron Gordon is a warrior, who I’m sure even Thunder fans have to begrudgingly admire. He's lost his brother, dealt with injuries, and with the loss of KCP, has had to take on a bigger defensive burden.
Gordon's resilience as a human being is so impressive, and there are no words to describe how impactful this guy is towards winning, especially in the clutch.
Well, maybe David Adelman said it best at the end of his post-game presser.
Peyton Watson is growing up right before our eyes
The Nuggets' biggest weakness, all season long, has been the bench. Peyton Watson is starting to change that narrative.
It’s not easy to produce when you aren’t getting heavy minutes. But the uber-athletic Watson is starting to thrive in his role off the bench. In 17 minutes, Watson produced 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks, turning in what might’ve been his most complete and impactful performance of the playoffs.
If Watson can continue to make corner threes while also protecting the rim and making life tough for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it will be hard for Adelman to keep Watson off the floor.
Watson has been a revelation this series, but his positive performances will have to continue. If Denver wants to make a run at the title, it will need this exact type of production from the bench to provide rest for the starters. So far, Watson looks up for the task.
Why Jokic’s bad game is a great omen for Denver’s title hopes
As the Nuggets dribbled out the clock at the end of overtime, ESPN’s play-by-play commentator Mark Jones asked out loud what everyone was thinking.
If Oklahoma City couldn’t win a game in which Nikola Jokic shot 8-25 from the field, what does that say about this series?
I don’t think it means that Oklahoma City can’t win Game 4 and steal back homecourt. What it does mean is that if Denver’s supporting cast is good enough to beat the best team in the NBA at Jokic’s worst, the Nuggets' ceiling is a Mile High.
Five weeks ago, Nikola Jokic had a 61-point triple-double in a soul-crushing loss to Minnesota, and the Nuggets' supporting cast miserably failed the best player in franchise history. But now? The rest of the league better beware, because the Joker finally has some help.