The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 94-91 preseason victory over the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center on Friday night. Oklahoma City improved to 4-2 while Denver dropped to 3-2.
Denver started the first quarter with a 28-foot triple from Isaiah Hartenstein, but the Thunder responded with an alley-oop dunk from Chet Holmgren. Luguentz Dort drained a three off a Holmgren assist to give Oklahoma City a 22-21 edge after 12 minutes.
The Nuggets surged in the second behind Peyton Watson’s driving floaters and Tim Hardaway Jr.’s pullup threes for nine points. Denver outscored Oklahoma City 38-24 in the frame to take a 59-46 halftime lead.
Oklahoma City cut into the deficit in the third with Isaiah Hartenstein’s dunk and Cason Wallace’s step-back three for eight points. Denver held a 75-66 advantage entering the fourth after Jalen Pickett’s layup.
The final period turned into a defensive grind as both teams traded turnovers. Ousmane Dieng sparked a 28-16 Thunder run with 17 points, including a driving dunk and pullup jumper.
Watson capped Denver’s late push with free throws, but his missed layup sealed the outcome. The Nuggets shot 37.2 percent from the field without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Dieng led Oklahoma City with 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting and four rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander added 12 points and five assists, while Holmgren contributed nine points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Hartenstein recorded six points and three rebounds off the bench. Wallace tallied 10 points with two steals.
Watson paced Denver with 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Strawther finished with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including four threes.
Hardaway Jr. scored 13 points with two triples, and Pickett had 12 points and four assists. Zeke Nnaji grabbed five steals for the Nuggets.
Oklahoma City held a 30-26 advantage in paint points and forced 13 turnovers. Denver committed nine in the second half alone.
Both squads rested starters early in the exhibition. The Thunder converted 20 points off 17 Denver miscues.
Denver shot 37.8 percent from three on 17 makes. Oklahoma City attempted 53 threes but hit 28.3 percent.
