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Player grades: Thunder destroy Nuggets in 149-106 Game 2 win

May 7, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots against the Denver Nuggets in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

OKLAHOMA CITY — Ready to check out, Nikola Jokic took matters into his own hands. He picked up his final two fouls within the same minute. A textbook illegal screen ended his game as the three-time MVP laughed and shook his head toward the bench. After all, that’s all he could do after OKC embarrassed his squad.

In their most important game in months, the Oklahoma City Thunder destroyed the Denver Nuggets in a 149-106 Game 2 win. They led by as many as 49 points. The 43-point win evened the Round 2 series at 1-1.

From the start, the Thunder meant business. They had two days to sleep on their Game 1 collapse and couldn’t wait to return to OKC’s alternate court to wash that nasty taste out of their mouths. They blitzed Denver from the start and had a 45-21 lead after the first quarter. That marked the most points in a playoff quarter in franchise history.

The second quarter was much of the same. The Thunder scored 42 points in the frame and entered halftime with an unreal 87-56 lead. The first-seed tied the NBA playoff record for most points in the half. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned to his MVP dominance with an efficient 18 points. Meanwhile, the rest of the Thunder starters snapped out of their funk.

With such a massive lead, the Thunder kept their foot on the gas pedal. They scored 37 points in the third quarter. Jokic rage-quitted the game as he picked up his last two fouls in the final minute. He did Denver a solid as the rest of the starters followed along. The Nuggets need the rest. The Thunder left the third quarter with a 124-76 lead.

The fourth quarter turned into garbage time as both teams cleared their benches. The OKC playoff crowd altered from rocking during the game to filing out to beat postgame traffic. Everybody vibed along and mimicked a concert as they saw one of the most lopsided playoff games in NBA history.

The Thunder shot 56% from the field and went 16-of-36 (44.4%) from 3. They shot 33-of-36 on free throws. They had 31 assists on 50 baskets. Seven Thunder players scored double-digit points.

Gilgeous-Alexander had an efficient 34 points. The other four Thunder starters finished with double-digit points, too. Jalen Williams had 17 points, Chet Holmgren had 15 points, Isaiah Hartenstein had 14 points and Lu Dort had 12 points. Off the bench, Isaiah Joe scored 14 points while Aaron Wiggins and Ajay Mitchell each tallied 10 points.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets shot 38% from the field and went 15-of-37 (40.5%) from 3. They shot 25-of-32 on free throws. They had 18 assists on 33 baskets. Four Nuggets players scored double-digit points.

Jokic was limited to 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Quite the contrast from his monstrous 44-point and 22-rebound double-double. Russell Westbrook had 19 points and five assists. Jamal Murray finished with 14 points and Aaron Gordon had 10 points.

This is what the Thunder needed. They’ve coasted through the playoffs since Game 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies. It finally came to burn them against the Nuggets in a Game 1 collapse. But these are the NBA playoffs, man. This heavyweight bout transfers over to Denver as both teams are squared at one win.

Let’s look at Thunder player grades:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A-plus

May 7, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives down the court beside Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

On a rare off-ball cut, Gilgeous-Alexander was left open at the dunker spot. Somehow, the Nuggets left the MVP candidate alone as he went up for the jam. Probably shouldn’t forget about the opposition’s best player in the playoffs. The easy bucket was the final one in a masterful performance.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points on 11-of-13 shooting, eight assists and four rebounds. He shot 1-of-2 from 3 and went 11-of-11 on free throws. He only logged 30 minutes before he sat out the entire fourth quarter.

This was the best Gilgeous-Alexander has looked in the NBA playoffs. Even for his gold standards of efficient scoring, this entered another realm. The Nuggets had no answer as he tore apart their defense with his lethal mid-range jumpers and slithered his way through multiple defenders to the basket. If that didn’t work, he got to the free-throw line. Each time met with MVP chants.

It didn’t take long for Gilgeous-Alexander to throw the first punch. In their highest-pressured game in months, the Thunder got ahead on the scoreboard early and never looked back. The Nuggets couldn’t keep it competitive as they trailed by double-digit points for most of the game.

After a Game 1 debacle, Gilgeous-Alexander was eager to see the Thunder’s response. Something tells me he liked what he saw as they doubled up the Nuggets on the scoreboard in the second half. One basic formula is for OKC’s MVP finalists to outplay Denver’s. So far, the better of the two has won their respective game.

Jalen Williams: B

May 7, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) dunks against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Criticized for a Game 1 stinker, Williams shushes his critics for at least one game. Gilgeous-Alexander headlined this lopsided win, but several other Thunder players contributed. The 24-year-old was one of them as he played within the flow of the offense.

Williams finished with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, seven assists and four rebounds. He shot 0-of-3 from 3 and went 5-of-6 on free throws. He also had two blocks. He only logged 26 minutes before he sat out the fourth quarter.

The shot process was the same for Williams, except he looked sharper. The drive-heavy scorer attacked the paint and finished through traffic. When he didn’t, he drew enough contact to get to the free-throw line at a decent clip. He’s quietly been able to do that for most of the playoffs, an impressive feat that unlocks his next scoring level.

The Thunder need Williams to stay aggressive. And he understands that. It’s better to empty the tank like Westbrook than fade into the background like James Harden in the playoffs. OKC has begged the All-Star to hunt for his shot more often and has done so this season.

Chet Holmgren: B

May 7, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) defends a shot by Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) in the second quarter during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Falling to unreal pressure in Game 1 with two late missed free throws, Holmgren’s one-on-one time with Kenrich Williams in the day between games helped clear his mind. The veteran might barely play in the playoffs, but his impact remains.

Williams put the missed free throws in perspective. If Holmgren can return from a surgically-repaired foot and a hip fracture, two missed free throws in the final seconds are peanuts. The seven-footer played Game 2 like somebody who had the memory of a goldfish.

Holmgren finished with 15 points on 3-of-8 shooting, 11 rebounds and two assists. He shot 2-of-3 from 3 and went 7-of-7 on free throws. He also had two blocks and two steals. He only played 26 minutes before he sat out the fourth quarter.

There were no rookie mode 2K numbers for Jokic or late-game Gordon heroics this time. Holmgren was one-half of a stellar double-big duo for the Thunder. Denver’s talented frontcourt was out-physicaled into submission as they screamed “Uncle!” in the third quarter.

The Thunder need Holmgren to play like this the rest of the way. The 24-year-old had a hiccup in Game 1 but looked much better in Game 2 against the Nuggets. The rim protection is too valuable not to have on the floor, regardless of whether his shot falls.

Isaiah Hartenstein: B

May 7, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Cutting baseline, Hartenstein pointed his finger up toward the basket. He knew he had a seam. Holmgren didn’t take long to see the nonverbal communication and threw up a pass to get the big-on-big alley-oop. The early highlight showed this game would go differently for the Thunder’s frontcourt.

Hartenstein finished with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting, eight rebounds and five assists. He shot 2-of-2 on free throws. He also had a steal and a block. He only played 22 minutes before he sat out the fourth quarter.

After a forgettable Game 1, Hartenstein painted a classic. Designated as Jokic’s primary defender, the seven-footer bruised in the low post with the three-time MVP. He made up for letting him be a one-man army in Game 1 by turning him into a footnote in Game 2.

The Thunder will continue to rely on the double-big approach. Holmgren-Hartenstein has led to their success. The Nuggets are the perfect matchup to utilize it. And even if one gets in foul trouble, they have a third to add to the rotation in Jaylin Williams, who’s developed a knack for frustrating Jokic.

Aaron Wiggins: B

May 7, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) celebrates after scoring against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Needing bench lineup production, Wiggins scored buckets in a flurry. He helped the Thunder overwhelm the Nuggets to put this away early with back-to-back 40-point frames. The 26-year-old kept the momentum with timely buckets that sent the OKC crowd into chaos.

Wiggins finished with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting and five rebounds. He shot 2-of-4 from 3. He also had a steal. He only played 15 minutes off the bench, but had an immediate impact.

After a career season, Wiggins has seen his role diminish in the playoffs. He went from a consistent part of the rotation to somebody who might get a handful of minutes. The shot creation is among the best on the team, but his defensive struggles cap his ceiling in these scenarios.

That said, Wiggins provided a boost when needed. The Nuggets could’ve still mounted a comeback at that juncture of the game. But the Thunder kept their boot on their neck as the bench scorer got into a rhythm.

Highlights:

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Player grades: Thunder destroy Nuggets in 149-106 Game 2 win

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