Historic Struggles: Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 4 Shooting Woes
In a surprising turn of events during Game 4 of the NBA playoffs, the Denver Nuggets and the OKC Thunder etched their names in history for all the wrong reasons. The game kicked off with a disappointing first quarter, where both teams collectively scored merely 25 points, failing to find their range beyond the arc with a staggering 1-for-25 shooting record from three-point territory. The Thunder ended the quarter with a shooting percentage of 27.3%, while the Nuggets were even lower at 9.1%.
As the game unfolded, both teams struggled to find their rhythm, finishing with field goal percentages of 35.6% for the Thunder and 31.3% for the Nuggets. Their combined 3-point shooting performance was equally dismal, with only 24.4% success, resulting in a total of 21 made shots out of 86 attempts.
According to Tim Reynolds, an Associated Press NBA writer, this abysmal shooting performance marked the lowest combined shooting percentage for a playoff game in over two decades.
Star Performances Amidst Poor Shooting
Despite the overall team struggles, MVP candidates Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander managed to lead their respective teams in scoring. Jokic clinched a game-high 27 points along with 13 rebounds, though he only converted 31.8% of his field goal attempts and sank just 25.0% of his three-point shots. On the other hand, Gilgeous-Alexander added 25 points with a better shooting percentage of 42.1%, although he missed all five of his attempts from beyond the arc.
The Thunder also saw contributions from four other players who reached double digits. Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins each recorded 11 points, while both Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso chipped in with 10 points apiece. Notably, Aaron Gordon stood out as the only player to shoot efficiently, scoring 15 points with a shooting percentage of 50.0% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range.
Nikola Jokic Reflects on His Performance Challenges
Nikola Jokic’s recent struggles have become a focal point of discussion. As noted by ESPN, this marks the first time in Jokic’s career that he has shot under 40.0% for three consecutive games in which he took at least 15 shots.
When addressing his performance, Jokic attributed his difficulties to the tenacious defense employed by the Thunder.
“They’re playing really good defense on me,”Jokic explained. “They’re really into my body, physical. I think I missed two or three open looks tonight, so it’s a little bit of everything.”
“They’re shrinking the floor on me. They’re having a guy behind the defender, so it’s a bit of everything. I need to do a better job, of course, but it’s part of the game.”
Conclusion: Thunder’s Strategic Win
Game 4 underscored the effectiveness of the Thunder’s gameplay, who emerged victorious with a narrow 92-87 win, despite not lighting up the scoreboard. This victory provides the Thunder with a crucial boost as they prepare to harness their home-court advantage for Game 5.