
Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder Match Player Stats – Box Score & Breakdown
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-121 in overtime on February 27, 2026, at Paycom Center, marking Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s return from a nine-game absence due to an abdominal strain.
The contest featured a heated fourth-quarter altercation that resulted in the ejection of Thunder defender Lu Dort for a Flagrant 2 foul against Nikola Jokic, punctuating a physical matchup between Western Conference contenders.
Jamal Murray led all scorers with 39 points for Denver, while Gilgeous-Alexander countered with 36 points in his comeback performance, setting the stage for a statistical showdown that required an extra period to settle.
What was the final score and box score for Nuggets vs Thunder?
OKC 127, DEN 121 (OT)
Jamal Murray (39 points)
37.5% 3-point shooting
85.2% free throw accuracy
The Thunder improved to 46-15 on the season while the Nuggets fell to 37-23, according to ESPN’s game data.
Key Insights
- Murray’s scoring barrage: The Denver guard dropped 39 points on 12-of-26 shooting, including 8-of-10 from the free-throw line.
- SGA’s efficient return: Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points on 12-of-29 field goals with 12-of-13 free-throw shooting in 34 minutes.
- Jokic’s triple-double: The MVP candidate recorded 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists despite the physical play.
- Holmgren’s glass dominance: The Thunder big man secured 21 rebounds, including 19 on the defensive end.
- Overtime surge: Oklahoma City outscored Denver 20-14 in the extra period after rallying from a 83-77 deficit entering the fourth quarter.
- Ejection impact: Lu Dort’s disqualification for a hard foul on Jokic shifted defensive assignments late in the game.
Game Snapshot
| Date | February 27, 2026 |
| Location | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City |
| Final Score | Thunder 127, Nuggets 121 (OT) |
| Thunder Record | 46-15 (25-7 Home) |
| Nuggets Record | 37-23 (21-12 Away) |
| Thunder Field Goal % | 46.5% (46-99) |
| Nuggets Field Goal % | 41.7% (43-103) |
| Thunder 3-Point % | 34.3% (12-35) |
| Nuggets 3-Point % | 37.5% (18-48) |
| Overtime Score | Thunder 20, Nuggets 14 |
Key Denver Nuggets player stats vs OKC Thunder
Denver’s offense flowed primarily through Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, with both players logging heavy minutes in the overtime defeat. The supporting cast struggled to maintain efficiency against Oklahoma City’s length.
Jamal Murray’s scoring surge
Murray led all competitors with 39 points, adding eight rebounds and six assists. He converted 12 of 26 field goal attempts and 8 of 10 free throws, accounting for nearly a third of Denver’s total offense. His scoring output proved insufficient to secure the victory despite the high volume.
Nikola Jokic’s triple-double performance
Jokic posted 23 points, 17 rebounds (15 defensive), and 14 assists across 45 minutes of play. The center also turned the ball over three times while drawing the physical foul from Dort that led to the ejection. His presence anchored Denver’s offense throughout the contest.
Murray’s 39-point performance came on 46.2% shooting, while Jokic connected on 10 of 22 field goal attempts (45.5%). The duo combined for 62 of Denver’s 121 points but received limited bench support.
Top OKC Thunder player performances vs Nuggets
Oklahoma City leaned heavily on their returning MVP candidate and a dominant defensive effort from their sophomore big man to secure the overtime victory. The Thunder’s depth showed in the final period.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s return
Playing his first game since suffering an abdominal strain, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points and dished nine assists while committing only one turnover. He played 34 minutes but did not participate in overtime, with the team medical staff likely exercising caution regarding his conditioning.
Chet Holmgren’s rebounding dominance
Holmgren controlled the glass with 21 total rebounds, including 19 on the defensive end. His presence limited Denver’s second-chance opportunities despite the Nuggets pulling down 11 offensive boards. The center’s rim protection contributed to the Thunder’s 10 blocked shots as a team.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence from the overtime period marked a cautious approach to his abdominal strain recovery. The Thunder maintained their lead without him, suggesting depth resilience during his gradual reintegration.
Full player stats comparison: Nuggets vs Thunder
A side-by-side comparison of the game’s primary contributors reveals contrasting styles: Denver’s high-usage backcourt against Oklahoma City’s balanced attack and interior dominance.
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Murray | DEN | 39 | 8 | 6 | 46.2% | — |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC | 36 | — | 9 | 41.4% | 34 |
| Nikola Jokic | DEN | 23 | 17 | 14 | 45.5% | 45 |
| Chet Holmgren | OKC | — | 21 | — | — | — |
Lu Dort received a Flagrant 2 foul and automatic ejection for a hard hit on Jokic during the fourth quarter. The incident triggered a scrum resulting in offsetting technical fouls on Jokic and Jaylin Williams, plus a defensive three-second technical against Oklahoma City.
How did the scoring unfold quarter by quarter?
The game featured dramatic momentum shifts, with Denver controlling the early action before Oklahoma City mounted a second-half comeback that forced overtime.
- First Quarter: Denver established early control with a 33-19 lead, capitalizing on cold Thunder shooting.
- Second Quarter: Oklahoma City trimmed the deficit with a 31-26 period, though Denver maintained a 59-50 halftime advantage.
- Third Quarter: The Thunder continued their rally, outscoring the Nuggets 27-24 behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s 14 points in the frame.
- Fourth Quarter: Oklahoma City completed the comeback with a 30-24 quarter, including key plays from Jamal Murray’s flagrant free throws (making it 97-95) and Jokic’s three-pointer (100-95), ultimately tying the game to force overtime at 107-107.
- Overtime: The Thunder dominated the extra session 20-14, securing the 127-121 victory.
What do official sources confirm about this matchup?
Verified statistics from CBS Sports and ESPN provide definitive accounts of player performance, though some contextual details remain unspecified in public records. For a detailed look at how the scoring unfolded, you can find the full match breakdown for the Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder game at Việt Nam vs Iraq 0-1.
| Established Information | Unclear or Unspecified |
|---|---|
| Final score: OKC 127, DEN 121 (OT) | Exact attendance figures |
| Murray: 39 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists | Specific medical status of SGA’s abdominal strain |
| Jokic: 23 points, 17 rebounds, 14 assists, 45 minutes | Referee assignments |
| SGA: 36 points, 9 assists, 34 minutes (DNP OT) | Official injury timeline for Dort’s status |
| Holmgren: 21 rebounds (19 defensive) | Exact timing of technical fouls |
| Dort ejected for Flagrant 2 on Jokic | League review status of the incident |
How does this result impact the Western Conference standings?
The victory extended Oklahoma City’s lead in the Western Conference standings, pushing their record to 46-15 compared to Denver’s 37-23. The 9.5-game gap between the clubs reflects the Thunder’s dominant home performance and the Nuggets’ struggles in road contests against elite competition.
This marked the second meeting between the teams in less than a month, with Oklahoma City having prevailed 121-111 in Denver on February 1, 2026. The Thunder’s season sweep thus far positions them favorably in potential playoff seeding scenarios, though both teams project to secure postseason berths barring significant injuries.
The defensive intensity shown by Oklahoma City—recording 14 steals and 10 blocks—demonstrates their capability to disrupt Denver’s offensive rhythm, a potential playoff preview should these squads meet in a seven-game series.
Where do these statistics originate?
All player statistics, box scores, and game events cited in this analysis derive from official NBA game tracking data provided by CBS Sports and ESPN. Historical context regarding the February 1 matchup comes from ESPN’s archives, with additional statistical verification via USA Today Sports Data.
The NBA’s official statistics portal at stats.nba.com and league headquarters at NBA.com provide the authoritative framework for all tabulated figures. Basketball-Reference’s comprehensive database at basketball-reference.com offers additional historical context for player performance trends.
What are the essential numbers from this matchup?
Oklahoma City’s 127-121 overtime victory against Denver on February 27, 2026, featured Jamal Murray’s game-high 39 points against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 36-point return from injury, ultimately decided by the Thunder’s 20-14 overtime dominance and Chet Holmgren’s 21 rebounds. For readers interested in physiological responses to intense competition, see our guide on How to Get Rid of Hiccups – Effective Remedies Guide, while those seeking to optimize their mental preparation might explore How to Lucid Dream – Complete Beginner’s Guide.
FAQ
Why did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not play in overtime?
The Thunder held Gilgeous-Alexander out of the overtime period as a precautionary measure during his return from an abdominal strain that had sidelined him for nine games, per ESPN.
How many rebounds did Chet Holmgren record against Denver?
Holmgren secured 21 total rebounds, including 19 on the defensive end, leading all players in the game according to box score data.
What triggered Lu Dort’s ejection?
Dort received a Flagrant 2 foul and automatic ejection for a hard foul on Nikola Jokic during the fourth quarter, sparking a scrum and offsetting technical fouls.
Which team won the previous matchup on February 1, 2026?
Oklahoma City defeated Denver 121-111 on February 1, 2026, in Denver, completing the season sweep to date per ESPN archives.
What were the turnover counts for each team?
Denver committed 18 turnovers compared to Oklahoma City’s 12, contributing to the Thunder’s 14-10 advantage in steals.
How long did Nikola Jokic play?
Jokic logged 45 minutes of playing time, recording a triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists before fouling out or being unavailable in the final moments.