The current NBA champions are making a serious statement this season. In their 2023-24 NBA season opener, the Denver Nuggets showcased their dominance by outclassing the Oklahoma City Thunder with a resounding score of 128-95. This victory extended their perfect start to the season at 3-0, a feat achieved by no reigning NBA champion since the 2016-17 Cleveland Cavaliers.
With this win, the Nuggets seized sole possession of the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Head coach Michael Malone emphasized the importance of not taking their championship for granted in the new season, noting that past achievements have no bearing on the current campaign. He praised the team’s mindset and their early-season performance as they aim to contend for another championship.
Nikola Jokić played with the poise of a seasoned veteran, amassing 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists. His performance marked his 103rd game with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists since 2020, the most in the NBA. Jokić displayed remarkable efficiency by making 12 of 16 total shots.
Michael Porter Jr. delivered a standout performance, contributing 20 points and 9 rebounds while connecting on four of seven three-pointers. Jamal Murray also had a solid game, scoring 19 points and dishing out a season-high 8 assists.
The Nuggets’ bench emerged as a notable storyline in the early season, characterized by athleticism and defensive prowess, along with impressive depth. Peyton Watson and Christian Braun stood out in this regard.
Peyton Watson achieved a career-high 17 points, shooting 7-of-11 in just 22 minutes of play. His dynamic cutting and ability to create his own shots in the fourth quarter complemented Jokić’s performance.
Christian Braun showcased versatility, finishing with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and zero turnovers.
As a team, the Nuggets displayed remarkable shooting accuracy, recording a 60.2 percent field goal percentage and a 40.7 percent rate from beyond the three-point arc. These stellar figures resulted in an extraordinary offensive rating of 134.7 against the Thunder.
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, 7’1″ rookie center Chet Holmgren was the leading scorer, accumulating 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
On the other hand, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished fifth in MVP voting the previous season, had a challenging game, recording only 7 points on 2-of-16 shooting. Much of this struggle was attributed to the defensive prowess of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who guarded SGA and earned his third consecutive Defensive Player of the Game (DPOG) award, receiving high praise from Coach Michael Malone.
The Nuggets set the tone early, with Porter Jr. igniting their offense with a midrange shot. Jokić dominated against the rookie Holmgren, accumulating 9 points by the end of the first quarter. Denver entered the second quarter with a 34-23 lead.
The Nuggets extended their lead to 12 points, but the Thunder responded with a 5-point run, prompting a timeout from Coach Malone. However, Jokić’s scoring spree, where he hit two jumpers over Holmgren, sparked an 18-6 run, allowing Denver to enter halftime with a commanding 69-51 lead.
Jokić continued his scoring prowess in the second half, quickly amassing 6 points, while Porter Jr. added to the onslaught with two three-pointers, including a deep 28-foot bomb. Denver enjoyed a 20-point lead. In the late third quarter, Watson made an immediate impact with a layup off a backdoor cut, courtesy of a pass from Jokić. The third quarter concluded with the Nuggets comfortably ahead at 97-75.
In the fourth quarter, the 20-point lead expanded to a 30-point advantage, thanks to Watson’s spectacular performance. Watson executed a reverse dunk and a fadeaway jumper near the baseline, culminating in a career-high 17 points. Rookie Julian Strawther joined the action and swiftly contributed with a wing three-pointer, a high-arcing floater, and a deep pull-up transition three-pointer, amassing 8 points in just 8 minutes. The game concluded with the Nuggets comfortably securing a 33-point victory.