The Denver Nuggets opened the season with energy on defense and almost nothing flowing on offense, and that combination left them staring at a 96-84 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Denver’s defense did enough early to keep the game in reach, even holding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander under 20 points for the first time in a game in 2 years. But the Nuggets never found their footing at the other end.
They finished with 22 turnovers, shot 38% from the field and watched Oklahoma City take control late after Cam Johnson exited in the first half with an ankle sprain. The Thunder outscored Denver 52-36 after halftime.
Nikola Jokic had a rough opener by his standards, scoring 13 points on 19 shots while going 1-for-7 from deep. He also finished with 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Jamal Murray had an even shakier night handling the ball, turning it over 6 times against 3 assists and making just 2 shots. Aaron Gordon was the bright spot, putting up 20 points and delivering several strong defensive plays.
DeMar DeRozan, in his Nuggets debut off the bench, added 13.
Oklahoma City got 21 points from Jalen Williams and 17 rebounds from Chet Holmgren, and the Thunder’s pressure wore Denver down as the night went on.
Denver actually had the better start. After Oklahoma City won the opening tip and Cason Wallace knocked down a three, the Nuggets responded with a steady first quarter.
Jokic fed Murray for a layup, then scored inside himself to help push Denver ahead. Gordon got to work in the paint, Christian Braun chipped in on the glass, and Cam Johnson added a three as the Nuggets built an early cushion.
Even as Williams kept answering, Denver led 27-24 after one.
The second quarter brought more of the same from Gordon and DeRozan, with Denver’s defense forcing Oklahoma City into enough awkward possessions to hold the edge. Trevon Brazile made his presence felt on the glass, grabbing 8 first-half rebounds, and Aday Mara finished an alley-oop to stop an 8-0 Denver run.
Marvin Bagley also picked up his first Nuggets bucket. Still, the offense stayed choppy, and Jokic and Murray combined for just 5-for-22 shooting in the half.
Denver managed to survive that mess and went into halftime up 48-44.
That lead didn’t last long.
The Thunder came out aggressive in the third, with Gilgeous-Alexander blocking and finishing on one end and Jalen Williams tying the game soon after. Gordon kept Denver afloat with two threes and a terrific finish that gave him 20 points, but Oklahoma City kept punching back. Cason Wallace hit a corner three, Holmgren erased a Braun dunk attempt at the rim, and the Thunder kept turning Denver’s mistakes into quick points.
The Nuggets also lost their grip on the game with a series of missed jumpers and turnovers. Murray gave it away on a key possession, Jokic couldn’t get his jumper going, and Oklahoma City seized the lead for good. A Caruso three and an SGA three stretched the margin, and Denver went to the fourth trailing 70-64 after a buzzer-beating attempt from near halfcourt by Jokic was wiped out on review.
From there, the Thunder separated fast. Jalen Williams opened the fourth with a dunk, Denver’s pressure problems got worse, and the Nuggets couldn’t string together any offense with Jokic sitting.
DeRozan tried to steady things with a pair of paint buckets and a long two, but Oklahoma City kept hammering away. Wallace hit another three, Gilgeous-Alexander found his shot, and yet another Murray turnover helped the Thunder keep stretching the lead.
By the time Denver pulled its starters with about two minutes left, the outcome was settled.
The season opener left the Nuggets with plenty to clean up, especially on offense. The defensive intent was there from the jump, but once the Thunder matched that energy and Denver’s shot-making vanished, the game slipped away. Without Cam Johnson and with the new pieces still sorting themselves out, the Nuggets never found the right rhythm.
One of the few clear positives was Trevon Brazile. He looked playable, crashed the glass hard with 11 rebounds, and showed enough on defense to suggest he can help while the Nuggets wait for more health and more familiarity.
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