The Denver Nuggets force a Game 7 in their NBA Western Conference Semifinals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With MVP frontrunners Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading their respective teams, Sunday’s matchup promises to be a battle for survival. But for Jokic, the key to the Nuggets’ most recent win wasn’t just star power — it was the unexpected impact of rookie guard Julian Strawther.
The seldom-used reserve stepped up in a crucial moment, scoring 15 points in just 20 minutes off the bench while hitting 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Jokic didn’t hesitate to credit Strawther’s performance as a difference-maker.
“Julian was big for us. Of course, he made big shots — he had a big three. He was attacking the ball. He had a couple of big rebounds at the end,” said Jokic. “He didn’t play basically the whole series, but he stayed ready and stepped up in the big moment.”
As for Jokic himself, the reigning Finals MVP delivered a dominant performance of his own — 29 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists — anchoring a well-balanced Nuggets attack that saw five players finish in double figures.
Julian Strawther #3 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs
Now preparing for yet another Game 7 — the sixth of his NBA playoff career — Jokic shared his thoughts on the do-or-die challenge ahead. “We’ve been there. It’s an interesting Game 7,” he said. “You just go out there and play to the best of your capabilities and hope for the best.”
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Jokic also emphasized what he believes will be the deciding factors against an aggressive, fast-paced Thunder squad. “Defense, details, rebounding — especially with how much they’re attacking the glass. Turnovers for us,” Jokic explained. “It depends how the game opens up. They want to push the pace, drive and kick, and get clean looks. We might want a bit of a slower game that creates open looks differently.”
“I think the details — defense, box-outs, turnovers — that’s probably going to decide the winner.” Jokic isn’t wrong. In a tightly contested series featuring two MVP-caliber leaders and contrasting playstyles, Game 7 will likely come down to execution in the margins. And with everything on the line, every possession matters.
