Nuggets vs Thunder Full Match Highlights and Recap: In a game where offense was hard to come by, the Oklahoma City Thunder dug deep to escape Denver with a hard-fought 92-87 victory on Sunday night, leveling their Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2.

The win sets up a pivotal Game 5 in Oklahoma City, where the series momentum now hangs in the balance.

With both teams struggling from the field, it was the Thunder's second unit and clutch scoring from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that made the difference. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 25 pointsnine of them coming in the final quarteralongside six rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, OKC's bench dominated Denver's reserves, outscoring them 35-8 in a game that was more about grit than glamour.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Thunder 17, Nuggets 8

Offense was nearly nonexistent in the opening frame, with both teams combining for a dismal 1-for-25 from beyond the arc. Denver made just two field goals in the quarter and failed to hit a single three-pointer, finishing 2-for-22 from the field. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the lone bright spot, tallying eight points and five rebounds for OKC, while Nikola Jokic went scoreless but grabbed six boards.

Second Quarter: Thunder 42, Nuggets 36

The shooting woes continued into the second period. At one point, Denver was 2-for-24 from the field and 0-for-15 from deep. Despite the struggles, they managed to stay within striking distance, trailing by just six at halftime. The Thunder weren't much better, shooting 34% from the field and 13.6% on threes. Gilgeous-Alexander had 15 points at the half, while Alex Caruso added nine off the bench. Jokic found a slight rhythm late, hitting his first field goal with 6:12 remaining in the quarter.

Third Quarter: Nuggets 69, Thunder 63

Denver finally found some offensive momentum, outscoring OKC 33-21 in the third to take a six-point lead. Aaron Gordon's three-pointer gave the Nuggets their first lead of the night at 53-52. Jokic poured in 11 points in the quarter, while Jamal Murray added eight. Denver went 7-for-11 from three-point range after shooting 3-for-22 in the first half. Still, OKC remained within reach.

Fourth Quarter: Thunder 92, Nuggets 87

The Thunder responded with a decisive 29-18 fourth quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded the surge with nine points, while key bench contributorsCason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, and Alex Carusostepped up to close the gap. Denver, on the other hand, faltered again offensively, scoring just 18 points in the final frame. Jokic finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds but shot just 7-for-22 from the field.

Key Takeaways

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered under pressure, scoring a team-high 25 points and making 9-of-12 free throws.
• Thunder bench dominance was critical, with a 35-8 scoring advantage over Denver's second unit.
• Shooting struggles plagued both teams, with Denver hitting 25-of-80 (31.3%) from the field and Oklahoma City going 31-for-87 (35.6%).
• Nikola Jokic, despite a double-double (27 points, 13 rebounds), was inefficient, making just 7-of-22 shots.
• Game 5 looms large, with the winner of a 2-2 series going on to win 81.3% of the time historically.

With their backs against the wall and facing the possibility of a 3-1 series deficit, the Thunder responded with poise and intensity. They leaned on their bench and executed in the clutch, particularly in the fourth quarter where they outpaced a faltering Nuggets offense. Gilgeous-Alexander's leadership and resilience were again evident, guiding OKC through a physical, low-scoring affair.

As the series shifts back to Oklahoma City for Game 5, the Thunder carry renewed momentum and belief. The home crowd will play a crucial role, and the stakes couldn't be higher. With the series now tied, it's a best-of-three fight for a place in the Western Conference Finals. Game 5 tips off Tuesday night at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT.