The Denver Nuggets pulled off a must-win Game 6 victory at home to tie their series at 3-3 with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 2023 NBA champions had almost everything going in their favor during Game 6 as they won the game 119-107. Late in the 4th quarter, when the Nuggets had a comfortable 9-point lead in the final minutes of the game, a battle for the loose ball with Alex Caruso resulted in Aaron Gordon limping while grabbing his left hamstring.
The NBA world was worried about Gordon’s health as the Nuggets’ forward was crucial in getting the win on the road in Game 1 in Oklahoma. Moreover, Gordon is a crucial starter for the Nuggets, who are already struggling with a lack of depth in the roster. After the game, the reporters asked Gordon about the injury scare in the fourth quarter.
Gordon responded, “I feel ok. We’ll see. I’m going to start the recovery process now and make sure I’m getting ready for Game 7.”
Gordon will be crucial if the Nuggets are to have any chance of winning Game 7 in Oklahoma. Aaron Gordon has averaged 14.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 13 games for the Nuggets against the Thunder in his regular-season career. Moreover, in the Playoffs this season, Gordon has averaged 14.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in six games for the Nuggets so far versus the Thunder.
The Nuggets are the only team since 2019 who have reached a Game 7 in their first two rounds of the Playoffs on multiple occasions. In 2019, 2020, and now 2025, the Nuggets forced a Game 7 in their first two series in all three years. Therefore, Jokic and Murray have a lot of experience when it comes to handling high-pressure situations like a Game 7.
Julian Strawther Steps Up For The Nuggets
Julian Strawther came off the bench against the Thunder in Game 6 of their series and proved that the Nuggets don’t lack talent on the bench. He dropped 15 points, which included some crucial three-point makes to close the game out down the stretch. In a game where everyone was focused on the battle of MVP front-runners Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander, Strawther provided the spark that took the Nuggets over the finish line to force a Game 7 in this series.
In 2023, it was the likes of Bruce Brown and Reggie Jackson coming off the bench that helped the Nuggets win the championship. Can the likes of Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, and Russell Westbrook coming off the bench provide the same spark to the Nuggets to win it all this season?
