Updated March 9, 2026, 9:40 p.m. ET
The final time these two groups confronted off, there have been fireworks.
Not solely are the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets among the many greatest groups in the NBA, in addition they don’t notably like one another.
Just 10 days in the past, throughout an eventual 127-121 Oklahoma City victory in extra time, Thunder guard Luguentz Dort tripped Nikola Jokić, inflicting the Nuggets star to confront Dort in a brief on-court altercation. Dort was ejected after he was known as for a flagrant 2 foul, and he mentioned later that he regretted the play.
Tensions may stay excessive, because the Thunder attempt to maintain their maintain on the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. It additionally presents one other likelihood for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to chase historical past. If Gilgeous-Alexander scores a minimum of 20 factors, he’ll tie Wilt Chamberlain for the all-time document for consecutive video games with 20 or extra factors scored, with 126.
Scroll beneath for the most recent updates and evaluation from tonight’s conflict between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder:
Cameron Johnson returns
After momentarily leaving the game in the third quarter with an obvious hand or finger damage, Cameron Johnson has returned for the Nuggets. The NBC Sports Network crew speculated that it could have been a dislocated finger, although the crew did not concern an replace.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ties Wilt Chamberlain
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, once again, has made history.
The Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star guard has now scored a minimum of 20 factors in 126 consecutive video games, tying the NBA document set by Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain. Gilgeous-Alexander tied the mark in the course of the Thunder’s game against the Denver Nuggets Monday, March 9.
It’s yet one more indicator of Gilgeous-Alexander’s exceptional consistency and dominance. Gilgeous-Alexander, 27, set the document in the third quarter, on a stepback 3-pointer that he rattled by the web.
End Q3: Thunder 96, Nuggets 93
The offense, to begin the third quarter, was a little bit of a battle. At the top of the interval, it was a special story.
Both groups mixed to begin the interval simply 5-of-22, as turnovers and considerably sloppy play predominated. To some extent, that favored the Nuggets, who have been fantastic to scrap by these miscues.
Denver went on a 12-0 run halfway by the third quarter to ultimately reclaim the lead, and, for Denver, the offense flowed by All-Star middle Nikola Jokić.
After taking simply 6 discipline aim makes an attempt in the primary half, Jokić was aggressive, attending to his spot and forcing the problem. He went 5-of-8 in the third with 12 factors in the interval, to stretch his complete to 21. He’s additionally on the verge of a triple-double, with 9 rebounds and 11 assists.
But Oklahoma City would reply.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attacked the Nuggets and scored 8 factors in the quarter, tying Wilt Chamberlain for consecutive video games (126) with a minimum of 20 factors. Denver threw double-teams at Gilgeous-Alexander, who confronted the added consideration and stress with a peaceful, measured strategy. Gilgeous-Alexander discovered open teammates who had higher appears to be like on the basket, ending the interval with 5 assists to carry his game complete to 12.
Cameron Johnson heads down the tunnel with obvious damage
The Nuggets have performed simply 12 video games with this beginning lineup, the crew’s most popular unit. Early in the third quarter, Nuggets ahead Cameron Johnson appeared to undergo an damage, probably to his hand. Johnson was in apparent discomfort and seemed to be favoring his hand. He ran towards the locker room and stopped in the tunnel, as trainers came to visit to are likely to him.
End Q2: Thunder 66, Nuggets 60
The Oklahoma City Thunder modified the course of this game, however the Nuggets answered again.
A 20-4 OKC run in the second quarter opened up a good lead on Denver, however the taking pictures of Tim Hardaway Jr. helped stabilize issues for the Nuggets, who mounted a 10-0 run late in the interval to shut the deficit. Hardaway went 3-of-4 in the quarter and has 16 factors.
Still, Oklahoma City outscored the Nuggets by 9 factors in the interval.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads all Thunder gamers with 17 factors, leaving him three in need of 20 factors, which might tie him with Hall of Fame icon Wilt Chamberlain for many consecutive video games in NBA historical past (126) with 20 or extra factors scored.
The Thunder have seemed to push tempo and get Denver in transition. Given that starters Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein are all out, OKC has used the defensive consideration towards the Nuggets; a number of instances in the primary half, after he drove, Denver collapsed on him and he discovered open Thunder gamers in the corners. Gilgeous-Alexander leads all gamers with 7 assists.
The Thunder are taking pictures 51% from the ground, in comparison with 45.5% for Denver, which is led by Aaron Gordon’s 21 factors.
Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokić had a reasonably quiet half on offense. Though he has 9 factors, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, Jokić tried simply 6 discipline objectives earlier than intermission.
Ajay Mitchell making an affect off the bench
In his first game again since Jan. 21, Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell has been large off the bench. Mitchell has been aggressive in on the lookout for his shot and has a team-high 16 factors on 7-of-12 taking pictures in somewhat greater than 13 minutes on the ground.
Mitchell had been sidelined with a strained belly muscle and ankle accidents, however, now that the Thunder are going through different accidents, Mitchell’s manufacturing is large for the Thunder.
End Q1: Nuggets 40, Thunder 37
In his return after greater than a month out, Aaron Gordon scored simply 3 factors Friday, March 6.
In the primary quarter Monday towards the Thunder, Gordon went on an absolute warmth verify, scoring 13 consecutive at one level for the Nuggets, who opened a small lead towards the short-handed Thunder. Gordon leads all gamers with 19 factors on 5-of-6 taking pictures in the interval.
Oklahoma City fell right into a 13-point deficit halfway by the interval, because it struggled to attach from pictures past the arc. The Thunder went simply 4-of-12 (33.3%) from 3-point vary.
But Oklahoma City launched a 16-3 run late in the primary quarter to shut the margin and get again in the game.
The Thunder are with out Jalen Williams (proper hamstring pressure), Chet Holmgren (flu) and Isaiah Hartenstein (left calf contusion), which has led to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking up a bigger position in the offense. He leads all Oklahoma City gamers with 11 factors on 5-of-6 taking pictures; SGA is simply 9 factors away from tying Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA document of consecutive video games with a minimum of 20 factors, at 126.
Nuggets-Thunder will get underway
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, trying to tie Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time document for consecutive video games with a minimum of 20 factors, bought began early, lacing his first two jumpers. But with the Thunder lacking their two beginning bigs, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, Denver is attacking Oklahoma City down low.
Gilgeous-Alexander already has 5 factors, because the Nuggets have opened a 17-8 lead behind Aaron Gordon’s red-hot taking pictures; Gordon has Denver’s final 13 factors.
Nuggets-Thunder beginning lineups
Denver Nuggets
- Jamal Murray
- Christian Braun
- Cameron Johnson
- Aaron Gordon
- Nikola Jokić
Oklahoma City Thunder
In the most recent damage report, the Thunder have dominated Chet Holmgren (flu) out of the game.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Isaiah Joe
- Cason Wallace
- Luguentz Dort
- Jaylin Williams
How to observe Nuggets vs. Thunder: TV channel, live stream
- Date: Monday, March 9
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. native)
- Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City)
- TV channel: NBC Sports Network
- Live stream: Peacock, Sling
Nuggets vs. Thunder damage report
Denver Nuggets
- DaRon Holmes II, out (G League)
- Curtis Jones, out (G League – two-way)
- Jamal Murray, questionable (left ankle sprain)
- KJ Simpson, out (G League – two-way)
- Peyton Watson, out (proper hamstring pressure)
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Branden Carlson, out (decrease again pressure)
- Alex Caruso, out (left hip contusion)
- Isaiah Hartenstein, out (left calf contusion)
- Chet Holmgren, out (flu)
- Thomas Sorber, out (proper ACL)
- Jalen Williams, out (proper hamstring pressure)
Nuggets vs. Thunder odds
Odds based on BetMGM as of Monday, March 9.
- Spread: Thunder by 6.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 232.5 (O; -115)
- Moneyline: Thunder -1275, Nuggets +220
