Denver Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman credited Julian Strawther’s two-way impact and his team’s resiliency following Thursday’s 119-107 Game 6 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Adelman highlighted Strawther’s 15 points off the bench but emphasized the rookie’s defensive discipline as equally crucial to the win.
“I thought he held water defensively too,” Adelman said postgame. “We didn’t have to change schematically because he sat down, moved his feet, and guarded.”
The Nuggets avoided elimination by outscoring the Thunder 32-21 in the third quarter, capped by Strawther’s scoring burst during a key 10-0 run.
With the series now tied 3-3, Adelman pointed to the significance of his role players stepping up, referencing previous games where Oklahoma City’s supporting cast delivered.
“Tonight we had a guy step up, make some shots, and then our main people were so complimentary,” he said.
Jamal Murray played through illness and logged 25 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in 42 minutes, a performance Adelman praised given the circumstances.
“There was a high likelihood he may not play,” Adelman revealed. “You get the IV in you, meds, fluids all day. But that’s Jamal Murray… tough-minded man.”
The coach acknowledged that Denver’s early fourth-quarter rotations were adjusted from Game 5, choosing to rest Nikola Jokic instead of Murray this time.
“Nikola seemed, body language-wise, like he wanted to sit for a second,” Adelman said. “Those guys held water to start that quarter.”
Michael Porter Jr. also earned a nod for hitting early threes, which Adelman said helped “loosen up the floor” and open space for Murray and Jokic.
Looking ahead to Game 7, Adelman credited his team’s mental preparation and consistency as key assets heading into a hostile environment in Oklahoma City.
“If they jump out on us early, we can still sustain,” he noted. “And if we jump out on them early, it doesn’t mean anything.”
Adelman also acknowledged concern for Aaron Gordon, who left late in the fourth with a hamstring issue, calling it “high” while expressing hope that the two-day rest window would aid his recovery.
When asked about the group’s character, Adelman underscored the team’s internal accountability.
“They’re hyper-focused, hyper-honest with one another, and more importantly, with themselves,” he said. “That’s who we’ve been for a long time.”
Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Paycom Center, with the winner advancing to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.
