The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Denver Nuggets for Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals, with the series tied 1–1. The matchup has already proven to be one of the most physical of the 2024–25 NBA Playoffs, and tensions continue to rise—on and off the court. In the wake of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s Oklahoma City dominant 149–106 win in Game 2, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon publicly voiced his frustration with what he perceives as uncalled fouls against Denver’s star center Nikola Jokic.
Chet Holmgren addressed Gordon’s remarks ahead of Game 3, defending the physicality of the series and pushing back on the notion that Oklahoma City has been getting away with uncalled contact.
“I feel like when we’ve fouled, we’ve been called for fouls. When they foul, they’ve been called for fouls,” Holmgren said. “At the end of the day, I only have one point of view out there. I can’t see the whole play, every play, all play. So I can’t really speak toward what’s happening on every single possession. I feel like it’s a physical game of basketball. That’s what the playoffs are. We just have to come out and be ready for that.”
The Thunder have not indicated any strategic changes in how they defend Jokic, according to head coach Mark Daigneault, but the physical tone of the NBA series is undeniable.
Gordon voices frustration
Following Game 2, Gordon aired his grievances in an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, criticizing the lack of whistle-blowing on Jokic’s defenders of the Thunder.
“If they’re going to let ’em push him, shove him, put two hands on him, root him out, use the knee, elbows—all types of stuff they’re doing to him—that’s not necessarily legal,” Gordon said. “There’s not much you can do. Jok’s got to play through it. If they’re not going to call it, they’re not going to call it. But they’re fouling the guy.”
Gordon went on to argue that referees are often punishing Jokic for retaliating after the initial contact. “They’re calling the second foul almost every time. They’re fouling Joker first, and then Jok is reactionary. And they do get the second foul a lot of the time,” he added. “But they’re fouling him—point blank, period—throughout the game. You can’t call every foul or you’d be blowing the whistle every play, but they’re fouling him.”
With the series shifting to Denver for a pivotal Game 3, both teams know the physical tone has been set—and the pressure is mounting. The Nuggets, aiming for a second Finals appearance in three years, face a critical test against a Thunder squad eager to prove its playoff mettle.