As the fourth quarter of Game 6 unfolded between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, fans were taken aback to find that the best player in the world, Nikola Jokić, was not on the court. This surprising decision came in light of the postseason's previous games where Jokić played the entirety of the final quarter whenever his team was in dire need of a win. In crucial moments of the playoffs, such as Game 4 against the Clippers and Game 5 against the Thunder, Nuggets coach David Adelman had relied heavily on Jokić's presence, often leading to mixed results.
In Game 4 versus the Clippers, the Nuggets secured a victory but not without drama, as they squandered a 22-point lead. Conversely, in Game 5 against the Thunder, despite Jokić's impressive contribution of 13 points out of the team’s 19 in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets faced defeat. These instances highlight the Nuggets' struggle to perform without their star player, leading to a desperate need for contributions from the bench.
In a twist of fate, on Thursday night, Adelman made the bold choice to rest Jokić, thanks to the unexpected brilliance of reserve player Julian Strawther. With the score locked at 80, Strawther erupted for eight points in a mere 1:37 of the third quarter, providing a crucial cushion that allowed Jokić to take a much-needed breather. Ultimately, Strawther finished the game with 15 points, all scored in the second half, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset to the team.
As the fourth quarter commenced, the Nuggets had extended their lead to 11 points, thanks to a timely three-pointer from Jamal Murray. It would have been a logical moment for Adelman to reinsert Jokić into the lineup, having successfully bought 90 seconds of game time without him. However, Adelman opted to trust his bench, a decision that nearly backfired.
The Thunder quickly scored four points, threatening to close the gap. However, Peyton Watson came up big with a spectacular block against Jalen Williams, preventing an easy transition dunk. Watson's defensive prowess continued to shine as he grabbed an essential offensive rebound off a missed three-pointer from Russell Westbrook, which led to critical free throws for Strawther. This foul effectively provided the opportunity for Jokić to return to the game.
In a series that features some of the greatest talents in basketball, including potential future Hall of Famers, the focus has largely been on the ability of the Nuggets' supporting cast to step up. The performance of players like Aaron Gordon and the bench has been crucial in determining whether the Nuggets can sustain their playoff run. Gordon's recent injury adds another layer of concern for the team as they prepare for a pivotal Game 7 against the Thunder.
Despite their struggles, the Nuggets managed to win Game 3 even with Jokić having a rare off night, where he went 0-for-10 from three-point range. This victory was largely thanks to Michael Porter Jr., who finally found his shooting touch. However, the Nuggets faced setbacks in Games 4 and 5, where their supporting cast shot a dismal 6-of-31 from the floor and only managed 1-of-19 from three-point range in crucial fourth quarters where they held significant leads.
Entering Game 6, Jokić had recorded an impressive 74 potential assists but had only 26 total assists, primarily due to his teammates' shooting struggles. The starting lineup had outscored the Thunder by 31 points, yet the Nuggets were trailing in the series due to the lackluster performance of their bench units. In a series where a bench player scoring 15 points is a significant development, the contributions from Watson and Strawther proved vital in staving off potential Oklahoma City rallies.
Additionally, Christian Braun added to the team's success with a commendable performance, contributing 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. The Nuggets' former general manager, Calvin Booth, had placed the franchise's championship aspirations on the shoulders of these young players, hoping they would mature in time to provide the necessary support for Jokić. Unfortunately, previous seasons had cast doubt on their readiness, leading to friction within the organization and ultimately the departures of both Booth and former coach Michael Malone.
As the Nuggets prepare for the decisive Game 7, the spotlight will be on whether their young bench players can continue to rise to the occasion and provide the support needed to complement Jokić, Murray, and Gordon in their quest for victory.
