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00:00Some of it is our fault, making overplays and overthinking, but we'll get it fixed.
00:08Alright, thanks so much. Good luck this next half.
00:10Appreciate it.
00:10Noah.
00:11Kendricks-Williams with five points, two boards, and two assists off the bench for the Thunder,
00:16who hold the lead by 7, 62-55 after 2.
00:21Big matchup has lived up to the billing so far, and a close one at the half.
00:30Welcome to American Express at the half.
00:38So on the first Sunday in February, the Knicks notch their sixth straight win, 112-100 over the Los Angeles Lakers.
00:46They'll meet up again a little bit later in the season, but MSG lights were shining bright for the Knicks in this matchup.
00:53Welcome back onto the court.
00:55We're still hanging out here after our very first basketball night in America.
00:58Maria Taylor, the Hall of Famers, Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady.
01:02And in case you missed it, during our pregame show, our game you can trust, presented by American Express,
01:07we announced the All-Star Reserves on Basketball Night in America.
01:11And my question for you, young fellas, is, is there anyone you thought might be on this list that is not currently?
01:19Yeah, in the Eastern Conference.
01:21Brandon Ingram was one of them.
01:22Brandon Ingram had it. He deserved it.
01:24I thought he was.
01:25I agree with that.
01:25The Raptors are playing very good basketball, fourth in the East.
01:29I thought we talked about what we could possibly get to.
01:33Who else did we speak of?
01:35You had one, T-Mac.
01:37No, I was, Brandon Ingram had one.
01:39I mean, this team is fourth in the East, and he's playing great basketball.
01:42Being a leading scorer, I thought the Toronto Raptors should have had two players in the All-Star game.
01:50We also mentioned Michael Porter Jr. was one of those guys that could possibly get in.
01:53And you have to remember, Giannis is not playing.
01:56Yeah.
01:57So some of those guys, so there will be a spot there for guys to get, Joker possibly.
02:02So there are some snubs or guys who we feel that didn't get in could possibly still get in.
02:08Can I enter?
02:08Those are the two, B.I. and probably Michael Porter Jr.
02:12Okay.
02:13So let's go over to the West.
02:14Can I enter into the group chat that the Clippers will be hosting at the Intuit Dome?
02:18We do not have a Clipper on the roster.
02:20They're getting two.
02:20James Harden is one.
02:21Yeah.
02:22I agree.
02:22They're getting two.
02:24Two?
02:24Yeah.
02:26Here we go again.
02:27Here we go.
02:32I don't know.
02:33What do you know?
02:34They home.
02:35Okay.
02:35L.A. is Intuit.
02:37It's Clippers.
02:38One of the hottest teams in the NBA.
02:40Both of those guys are two of the hottest players in the NBA.
02:42But if they only get one.
02:43They have to have representation.
02:45But if they only get one, who goes first?
02:47I think they get two.
02:48They might get two.
02:49I'm just saying.
02:50You don't want a question, though, Mel.
02:51I hear the question.
02:52Hey, he's smooth.
02:53He slid off that.
02:55Oh.
02:55If they get one.
02:57Okay.
02:57If they get one, it would be James Harden.
03:00I deserve it.
03:01I think he deserves that.
03:02Even though Kawhi Leonard at this current moment is averaging a career high in scoring right now as we speak.
03:07He's had a great season.
03:07We said that.
03:08Right?
03:08We said he was the best basketball player in the NBA since December.
03:13So we've honored that.
03:14I just think James has been very consistent with dealing with whatever the Clippers had to deal with
03:20and keeping them afloat to where they at right now.
03:22And then you get Kawhi back.
03:24He's just adding on to what James has already been doing.
03:26I agree.
03:26Yes.
03:27100%.
03:27Guys, I hate to say this, but this is the last time we're going to be together.
03:31And then after the whole start break, I know.
03:33Where are you going?
03:34Listen.
03:34The Super Bowl.
03:35Oh, I'll see you guys at the Super Bowl.
03:37We'll hang out there.
03:38It'll be fine.
03:39We've got a segment together.
03:40I just won't be talking to you about basketball.
03:42We've got a quick segment.
03:42I'm going to let y'all come on.
03:43Hang out.
03:44Before we go, how wonderful was this night, though?
03:46Incredible.
03:47Electrifying.
03:47Absolutely.
03:48Right?
03:48Mm-hmm.
03:49Thanks for sharing your home with us.
03:50On the other side of this.
03:51NBC, that's how you bring in Sunday night basketball.
03:54Did you see Bob Costas was at center court?
03:56Sue Costas.
03:56Okay.
03:57So we had Bob Costas at us.
03:58We had Bob Costas.
03:59Mike Tirico calling the game.
04:01Come on, let's go.
04:02Reggie Miller, Jamal Crawford, Zora Stevenson, Kaitlin Clark.
04:04That's all we had in case you missed it.
04:06But you're not going to want to miss NBA Showtime on Tuesday on Peacock.
04:09We're going to announce the rosters for the three teams in the All-Star game.
04:12It's going to be USA Stars, USA Stripes, and the world team.
04:15And we're also going to reveal the All-Star jerseys and court design.
04:19Then at halftime, a Celtics Mavericks on NBC.
04:22We'll find out who's participating on All-Star Saturday night.
04:33At the half is brought to you by the powerful backing of American Express.
04:42They've come to Denver, and they've relied on their MVP to get them rolling.
04:46Fifteen points and seven assists in the first half.
04:49The Thunder, 10 for 24 from three.
04:53But it's been Gilgis-Alexander that is oohed and odd per usual.
04:58Let's check out tonight's DraftKings player tracker.
05:01And usually a good idea to keep track of SGA, Jokic, and Murray.
05:0762-55, Oklahoma City in front at the half.
05:13We've got second-half action straight ahead on NBC.
05:19On DraftKings Sportsbook, new customers can bet $5 and get $3.
05:22Come on, come on, come on.
05:26A little less conversation.
05:28A little less conversation.
05:29Halfway through the second of our Sunday night basketball doubleheader
05:56between the top two teams in the Western Conference.
05:58It has delivered so far as we welcome you back towards side at Ball Arena.
06:01Noah Eagle in the Hall of Famer, Grant Hill, Ashley Shomity.
06:04You said it early in this game.
06:06It felt like a playoff atmosphere in the first half.
06:08Definitely a postseason feel.
06:09Both teams playing hard.
06:11The three-point shooting has been great.
06:14And we've had the star, at least on OKC, step up and play big.
06:18Denver's stars have struggled a bit in that first half.
06:21Yeah, SGA leading the way for the Thunder so far in this game
06:23and really spreading the ball around as well against this Nuggets defense.
06:27Now they're trying to counter on the other side.
06:29And right now, just a little bit off.
06:31Murray, Jamal Murray, 4 of 11 from the field.
06:341 of 7 from the three-point line has had good looks.
06:38Jokic just only two shots.
06:40He's had some fouls, a few turnovers, maybe some rust after being off for 16 games.
06:45I expect these two, who've been in big moments, to regroup and play better for the Nuggets in the second half.
06:52Jokic has made both of his field goal attempts so far in this game.
06:55But the leading score for the Nuggets, Peyton Watson with 13.
06:58The leading score in the game, no surprise, Gilgis Alexander with 15.
07:01And Jokic is pure to start the third.
07:04Nice little ripped screen to bring him up to the top.
07:07Jokic with the nice read.
07:10Maybe that'll get him going here and be more aggressive looking to shoot.
07:13Eight points and six assists so far for the three-time MVP.
07:17Holmgren, no.
07:18Big side rebound falls to Murni.
07:20Jokic took a shot from Dort.
07:22Murray licks it to the rim.
07:24Oh!
07:25Sent away by Holmgren!
07:26Defense, the offense, recovery here from Denver.
07:36Murray thought he was going to have an easy one.
07:38One of the frontrunners for Defensive Player of the Year, showing it off early in the second half.
07:43SGA knocked out by Watson.
07:46Talk about rim protection just coming.
07:48He was guarding the corner.
07:49And the anticipation is Murray was streaking down the lane there.
07:54And we talked with Mark Dagnall before the game.
07:56Said he was the most impactful player on the league's best defensive team.
08:02And showing why on that last play.
08:03Mark Dagnall so excited for Chet and for Jamal Murray for that matter.
08:07Both making All-Star for the first time as Kaysen Wallace laces a triple.
08:11He said that Chet Holmgren, Shea Gilders Alexander, Jalen Williams.
08:15They won the title in Game 7 last year against the Pacers.
08:19As Jogic tried to find the cutting drill and make it pick it.
08:23It ends up with Murray.
08:24Can't respond to the three.
08:26He said after they won, all of them were not satisfied with the way they played.
08:30He said Chet went right to him.
08:31He goes, man, I look slow on that film.
08:33I have to get better this year.
08:34And he has.
08:35And that was a beautiful thing.
08:36I mean, I said earlier, the integrity, the character of this group.
08:38You win, and they're looking to get better and be a better team as a result of their success.
08:46And an airball there by Dort.
08:50And now, defense stepping up for Denver.
08:57Continued development even at the highest level for Oklahoma City.
09:01Both of these coaches feel like their respective oppositions actually make their teams better
09:06just by playing against each other four times a year.
09:09Murray Lake clock can't hit the jumper.
09:11And a rebound called to Holmgren.
09:13And bodies hitting the deck with Dort still on the ground.
09:16And eventually, a foul is going to be called against Peyton Watson.
09:19And right here, Jokic setting a screen on Dort.
09:22They got tangled up and just a lot of wrestling there, a lot of contact, a lot of fighting for position.
09:28And at the end, as the shot went up, Dort ended up on the floor there.
09:34So who said the NBA was not physical?
09:37Lou Dort's going to make it physical.
09:39And certainly, Denver has reacted with their own physicality.
09:42As SGA just creates the space and drills another chain.
09:46This makes it look easy.
09:47Back to a 10-point game.
09:50SGA up to 17 points.
09:52He's three away from his 120th straight 20-point game.
09:57Watson drive a kick.
09:58Pick it.
09:59For three.
10:00And a great action on the offensive end for Denver.
10:03Ball getting from side to side.
10:05Dribble penetration.
10:07The ball didn't stick.
10:09And they were rewarded.
10:11Jokic Alexander bounce.
10:12Hartenstein a finish.
10:16Hartenstein and Jokic have been joined back and forth all night.
10:22Jokic just forced it up.
10:23And then Ulmgren had it taken away by Jones inside.
10:28Second chance now.
10:29Watson.
10:30Fresh 14.
10:32Trying to get Jokic more touches.
10:33They do.
10:34He draws the contact.
10:36Ulmgren recognized that he reached a little too deep into the cookie jar that time.
10:43He said it.
10:44Hartenstein and Jokic.
10:46The gamesmanship.
10:48The physicality.
10:51Right here.
10:52Jokic so smart.
10:53Anticipating.
10:54Holmgren.
10:55Reaching down.
10:56Goes right into his shooting motion.
10:59Now shooting two at the free throw line.
11:01And he's looking to be more aggressive.
11:02You see it here early in this third quarter.
11:04That physicality is obvious as we check in with Ashley.
11:07Yeah guys.
11:07That's exactly what Denver assistant coach J.J. Barea said.
11:10He said with how physical and honestly crazy that first half was.
11:13He said not to mention they weren't playing their best basketball.
11:16And to be down only by seven at the half he said it wasn't too bad.
11:18But he said we absolutely need to do a better job rebounding the ball.
11:21They have way too many offensive rebounds.
11:23Also Denver's turnovers need to be cleaned up.
11:25And I asked about Nikola Jokic getting more field goal attempts this next half.
11:28He said we're going to keep feeding to him.
11:30Hopefully he can keep creating and getting into an array.
11:32Well so far so good.
11:33He had only two field goal attempts in the first half.
11:35He's already got two in the second half.
11:37And that's the second half three for Kaysen Wallace.
11:40His fifth triple tonight.
11:43That ties his career high from the outside.
11:46He's got 17 points.
11:47Jokic outside.
11:50Watson's response.
11:51It's there.
11:54Watson continues to shoot the ball well from the three-point line.
11:58But as Jokic backs down the defender they're collapsing there.
12:02And got to keep him honest from three.
12:04Gilchrist Alexander.
12:06Jay.
12:07And he gets the roll.
12:09And right now just a great balance to his offensive attack.
12:12He's being aggressive looking for his shot.
12:15But reading the defense and finding his teammates.
12:18Wallace on the previous possession for that three.
12:20He's got 19 points on nine field goal attempts.
12:23Watson's similar spot.
12:25Save result.
12:25Tell you what, Watson making four million dollars right now.
12:35Restricted free agent this summer.
12:38He is showing proven right now that he has a lot of game.
12:42Gilchrist Alexander finds the double.
12:44Torch the open man.
12:45Way off on the three.
12:46And Watson with a long arm reaches back for the board.
12:51Murray was calling for it but Watson's feeling it after back-to-back jumpers.
12:54Now it will be Murray.
12:56They switch with Wallace.
12:5712 to shoot.
12:58Murray gets past him.
13:00Murray stops.
13:01Got a block but Jokic is there to clean it up.
13:08Only the second rebound tonight for Nikola Jokic.
13:15Gilchrist Alexander.
13:16Attack mode.
13:18Can't finish.
13:19Jokic has another board.
13:20Now he's off to the races.
13:22Finds Watson streaking.
13:23Kick it.
13:24Open.
13:25Pick it.
13:26Has got it.
13:27He splashes home a big three.
13:307-0 run.
13:32Timeout OKC.
13:40Getting out in transition.
13:41It starts with Jokic.
13:43And Pick it.
13:44Who had so many big moments in the last month.
13:47Comes up with another one.
13:48In Denver has been the Nuggets with Nikola Jokic on the court and without.
13:55This is this year with him on the court versus when he was out with the injuries.
13:59Number one in points per game when he's been there.
14:01The point differential minus 1.5 in those 16 games.
14:04But they treaded water.
14:05They stayed above.
14:06And you see now in the NBA ranks turnovers, pace, and crunch record.
14:11The pace being probably the biggest difference in the second-slowest team without Jokic in
14:14the NBA.
14:15David Adelman, we talked about with him about different guys getting different roles in
14:20the 16 games when Jokic was out.
14:22He mentioned Jalen Pickett, Zeke Notch, Hunter Tyson, a guy like Peyton Watson.
14:26He said everybody can act confident.
14:28But you have to go out there and have to translate on the court.
14:30And now a guy like Pickett, for example, who has been in big moments, late games, clutch games.
14:35You can throw him out there maybe in a playoff series.
14:37It's not going to feel foreign to him.
14:39And we just saw it in a big moment on that last bucket again.
14:42Now a whistle and a foul going the other way.
14:44And it's Hartenstein picking it up.
14:46And we saw that in the first half, a moving screen violation on Jokic.
14:52And the same call there, Hartenstein not having his feet set, called for the illegal screen.
14:58It's a 7-0 Denver run.
14:59They can get it to within a possession here.
15:02Watson had a block, but a foul on Hartenstein.
15:04That's going to be number four.
15:06And Watson's going to shoot two.
15:08Back-to-back fouls on Hartenstein.
15:11Right now, appears as though he will go out of the game.
15:15With a nice little flare screen, excuse me, cut to the basket there by Watson.
15:23Using the shot fake.
15:26Hartenstein in disbelief.
15:28Didn't think there was a lot of contact there.
15:30Denver as a team third in the NBA in free throw percentage at 81.4.
15:33Tonight they're 9 of 15 so far.
15:36They've left six points on the table.
15:38Hartenstein out.
15:39Jalen Williams in.
15:40So, Williams, Holmgren, Gilgis, Alexander, Wallace, and Dorff.
15:46Watson, Jokic, Pickett, Jones, and Murray.
15:49The starting five out there for Denver.
15:51Watson with 18 points.
15:54Seven of 11 from the floor and four rebounds, two assists.
15:58And he's been very aggressive.
15:59Very much hunting his shot.
16:01Looking for opportunities.
16:04Making the most of him here in this third quarter.
16:07Really midway through this third for one possession game in Denver.
16:11Now the zone look defensively for the Nuggets.
16:13SGA keeps at his options.
16:19Goes to work with a spin.
16:20Kick.
16:21Holmgren.
16:22Three.
16:23He makes it rain from the corner.
16:31First three of the night for Holmgren.
16:33The 13-3 and 10th assist from SGA.
16:38Gilgis after response.
16:39It's a big man three-point party.
16:4614 for the Joker.
16:48Wallace continues his scorching three-point night.
16:53A career-high six main threes.
16:5720 points for Wallace.
16:59Back to a six-point game.
17:01Trying to get it to Jokic on a retouch.
17:03They do.
17:04Jokic.
17:06Spin.
17:06Back down.
17:07Williams stays in front.
17:08Holmgren's there on the block.
17:10Off the front iron.
17:11Into the hands of Dork.
17:13The help defense.
17:14Perfect.
17:15From Cech.
17:18Gilgis Alexander bounce.
17:20Williams extra.
17:21It's Wallace.
17:22A three.
17:24Kaysen cans in.
17:26He's having an out-of-body experience in Denver.
17:33And great team awareness.
17:35Finding the hot hand.
17:37Kaysen Wallace.
17:39The corner three.
17:40Locked and loaded.
17:41On fire here in the Mile High City.
17:44In these big match-ups.
17:49Who's going to step up?
17:50And it's been Kaysen Wallace for OKC.
17:53The Kentucky Connection.
17:55On display.
17:56Gilgis Alexander finding him.
17:57The whole team finding him.
17:59And he has delivered.
18:01Those are just three of his seven made three-pointers.
18:04This evening.
18:05Kaysen Wallace.
18:07Known for his defense.
18:08Showing off his range tonight.
18:11You see.
18:11Shooting 35.6% from three this year.
18:14But the career percentage above 38.
18:17And only averaging 7.4.
18:19He's got a career high in scoring at 23.
18:21SGA's got 10 assists.
18:23Now does Denver have a counterpunch here?
18:26Murray right back to Jokic.
18:28He'll try.
18:30And Holmgren uncontested.
18:32Has his third rebound.
18:33It felt like Denver had the momentum in their hand on their home floor.
18:37But the shooting from the outside for OKC continues.
18:41Bullseye for SGA.
18:4716 of 32 from three tonight.
18:51OKC 9-0 run with a foul before the shot.
18:56This right here is just hard to defend.
18:59Step back three.
19:00You have to honor his driving ability.
19:04And SGA says, let me get in the action from downtown.
19:08As part of his game last year.
19:10Made a big step improving his three-point shooting.
19:12And you see those consecutive games of 20 points or more.
19:16I mean, Will Chamberlain obviously did it twice.
19:19And he was seven foot.
19:20He was the most dominant player of his era.
19:22SGA doing it at only 6'4 is incredible.
19:26Only six games away.
19:27Balanchunas had it struck by Wiggins.
19:30Picked up by OKC with numbers the other way.
19:32Wiggins, Williams, SGA.
19:35Finds the cutter.
19:35No, it's not quite back to him.
19:37Picked got a hand on it.
19:38Now Gildress Alexander loves the matchup.
19:41And he doesn't get the roll.
19:43Fight for the board.
19:44It's Wallace who comes away with it.
19:46Second chance again for the Thunder.
19:49Wiggins deep one.
19:50It goes.
19:50It is a barrage from the outside.
19:55The Thunder cannot miss.
20:0012-0 run.
20:02Above 50% on the night from three.
20:05As Balanchunas finally stops the bleeding.
20:08Well, the shooting has been extraordinary for OKC.
20:10But the defense as well.
20:12Giddy stops.
20:14Feeding off that defense.
20:15The shooting not suffering at all.
20:17Wallace.
20:18But finally misses one.
20:20Who is going to spark it again for Denver?
20:25Watson's been that guy all night.
20:27Balanchunas already has one three.
20:29Doesn't have a second one.
20:32Three and a half to play in the third.
20:34Oklahoma City's led now by as many as 15.
20:36One of the best second half teams in the NBA.
20:38SGA got the bump and the bucket.
20:42He is a one-man wrecking crew.
20:44And truly is playing a game of his own.
20:50Just playing at another level right now.
20:52Whether facilitating, scoring.
20:55Good defense here.
20:56Hardaway just a little physicality with that left arm.
20:59And it felt like Gilchrist Alexander just threw the ball up there to get it to a shooting motion.
21:05And it went in.
21:07Showing his talent.
21:10Showing his skill.
21:11The excellence.
21:12Incredible to see this young man perform live in person.
21:15It's one of those you're playing pool basketball with your buddies as one of them tries to knock you off your spot.
21:21To your point, you just chuck it up there and say,
21:23Okay.
21:24Splash.
21:25I've never played pool basketball.
21:26Oh, you're missing out.
21:27That's a whole world that you...
21:29We'll get you on that.
21:32Skip pass.
21:33Open look for Brown.
21:34And he knocks it down.
21:37And with a three-point shooting of Denver, they can get back into this game.
21:41But they're going to have to do it on this end, Noah.
21:43It stops.
21:45And they're going to have to stop this guy.
21:46They finally do.
21:47SGA had a block by Watson.
21:49Late to recover.
21:49A foul called on Dork.
21:51And it's going to be his second.
21:53And the fourth team foul on the Thunder.
21:54And look at the help side on that last drive by Gildas Alexander.
22:05Three, four guys there making a play on the ball.
22:08You didn't see it from that angle, but he took a lot of contact here when he fell.
22:14Right now, Denver trying to find some momentum here on the offensive end.
22:18Murray talking pass.
22:19Valanchunas got a little too unselfish.
22:212.40 to play in the third.
22:25The Thunder are 17 of 34 from three and looking for more.
22:29Gildas Alexander on a fend off.
22:31Trying to rip it through.
22:32It ends up with Wiggins.
22:34Now 10 to shoot for Williams.
22:36Get it back to the MVP and let him go to work.
22:39Double comes.
22:40Williams fires.
22:41Williams hits!
22:43And the game plan is double shake Gildas Alexander when the clock gets low.
22:48And Denver's following through with that, as you saw in that last play.
22:52But with the shooting of OKC, you might want to stay single coverage right now with Shea on the offensive end.
22:59They are eight for 11 in the quarter from three.
23:03And Dort just picked up his third foul.
23:04It's going to send Murray to the free throw line.
23:06And you see right here, Shea, he can double team him.
23:11He splits the trap.
23:12Gets the ball back.
23:14And then right away, Watson goes right at Shea.
23:18Double team action.
23:20And rotation a little bit late.
23:22Williams makes him pay.
23:2318 made threes with 2.05 left in the third quarter.
23:28Kayson Wallace has been the leader.
23:30He's going to check back in.
23:31Williams has come off the bench and poured in two of them.
23:34Jay Will is a plus 16 in 15 minutes of action.
23:40David Adelman just looking for the right combo defensively.
23:43As Murray is perfect on a pair.
23:45He's got a dozen.
23:46What can they do to stop what has been a locomotive offensively?
23:53He's showing a little zone, a little match-up zone here now.
23:56Maybe try to slow down the thunder.
23:59Williams will drive on it.
24:01The cutter is Shea.
24:02It's outside.
24:03It's Wallace.
24:04He missed it.
24:06Rebound yanked down by Valanchun.
24:07It's 1.45 to play in the third.
24:09Can Denver get a little bit of momentum going to the fourth?
24:12Lobby inside.
24:13A little high for Hardaway.
24:14Never went out of bounds.
24:15Five on four with Hardaway a little late to recover.
24:19Skip it.
24:20Williams.
24:21Thought about it.
24:22Wiggins.
24:23Drive.
24:24And Wiggins got the finish over the top of Valanchunas.
24:28A nice play by Wiggins.
24:30Had the mismatch with Valanchunas.
24:31Didn't settle.
24:32Attacked him.
24:33Was able to get to the rim.
24:35Everything clicking offensively this quarter for OKC.
24:39And another turnover from Valanchunas.
24:42Up ahead SGA.
24:43Attacks on Valanchunas.
24:44And a hard foul.
24:46It's going to be Gilgis Alexander going to the free throw line once again as Valanchunas picks up his third.
24:51A lot of frustration right now.
24:53The offense not clicking.
24:54Turnovers.
24:56And SGA going right into the body.
24:58Valanchunas initiating the contact and this team right now OKC is struggling you know coming into this game.
25:10But they have found their magic here in this third quarter.
25:14An impressive display of shooting from this team.
25:17It's going to be in this game right now.
25:17It's going to be in this game right now.
25:18Many aspects of the league are built by black history shaped by black players, coaches, employees, and fans.
25:25This black history month and beyond the NBA celebrates the excellence that moves the game forward.
25:31Julian Strother now in for Denver as SGA will get one more free throw.
25:3726 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists.
25:42He's now 8 of 9 at the charity strike.
25:46He had a little bit of a dip for a stretch of the season where his free throw numbers went down.
25:50But has ticked that back up over the last couple of weeks now.
25:55Over 10 free throws per game over his last 11.
26:00Valanchunas patient inside for the bucket.
26:02And a good set there.
26:03Ball moving side to side.
26:05Playing with pace.
26:07That's what you have to do against this swarming defense of OKC.
26:11Trust your offensive execution to get buckets.
26:14Two for one opportunity and they'll work for it here.
26:16Gildersh Alexander awaiting the screen from Williams.
26:20Turns on the turbo push shot goes for Williams.
26:2412th assist for SGA.
26:31Watson long strides and his floater goes down.
26:36A little chirping between Watson and Jalen Williams.
26:41After that made basket there by Watson.
26:43Really the story of this quarter.
26:47Noah has just been SGA scoring and finding his hot teammates at the 3-point line.
26:54Just a 3 or so second different shot clock and game clock.
26:59Gildersh Alexander.
27:01Already with a season-high tying 12 assists.
27:04Looking for his 13th.
27:05Wiggins can't give it to him.
27:07Long rebound track down by Brown with 3 seconds left.
27:09Brown has to hoist well short.
27:13Had another second or two to try to get it up the court.
27:16Took the long heave instead.
27:20The Joker trying to get in on it.
27:21It's a 16-point game.
27:23You're watching Sunday Night Basketball presented by Xfinity.
27:268-5.
27:31Start the fourth quarter.
27:33These two teams, the top two teams in the Western Conference.
27:36Over the course of the season, Denver's been the number one 3-point shooting team in the NBA.
27:40They're shooting 46%.
27:42But Oklahoma City tonight, a middle-of-the-pack three-point shooting team.
27:4618 of 37.
27:4849%.
27:49They shoot 49% from the three-point line with the way they play,
27:55particularly on the defensive end and SGA and his consistency.
27:59They're unbeatable.
28:01They proved that in the early portion of the season.
28:03Holmgren can't hit the start at the fourth.
28:05Jokic is on the floor to begin this quarter.
28:07He's at 23 minutes so far tonight.
28:0914 points, three rebounds, seven assists.
28:12SGA's on the bench to start the fourth as expected.
28:16Brown on the outside off a series of screens.
28:18It's Hardaway.
28:19Off the heel.
28:20Hardaway has just not found that three-point rhythm.
28:230 for 3 and now 0 for 5 overall.
28:28Holmgren, Isaiah Joe, two-man game.
28:32Holmgren tries again.
28:34Rebound to Brown.
28:35Can Denver go on a little bit of a run with SGA on the bench?
28:39Jokic gets the touch.
28:41Brown, his three-ball.
28:48Wallace in transition.
28:50A blurt on a bucket and a chance for three.
28:54I'll tell you what.
28:55It's been the Kaysen Wallace coming out party, if you will.
28:58Doing it from downtown, in transition, off the bounce, before the defense can get set to the left hand.
29:08Kaysen Wallace earned his minutes last season on the defensive end.
29:13He's showing the much-improved offensive player he's become.
29:19Can't convert the three-point play, but it's an 18-point game.
29:23Largest lead for OKC.
29:26Brown on the outside.
29:28Looking for Jokic.
29:29He has to dribble it into his hands.
29:32Dangerous pass finds Jones.
29:34Outside Strother.
29:35Extra.
29:36Hardaway nearly traveled.
29:38And he still can't find that three-point territory.
29:41And OKC, they double-teamed Jokic, and they got out to shooters.
29:44Made him make the extra pass.
29:46And even there, Hardaway Jr. in the corner, a contested three.
29:51Holmgren had a rip by Jones.
29:53And then out-of-bounds.
29:55Going the other way.
29:59Mark Dagnol looks puzzled, looking towards the back bench.
30:02And he did not get the challenge off in time.
30:05He was looking to call for the timeout.
30:07But the ball was already inbounded.
30:09Strother turned the corner.
30:10Bounce it.
30:11Brown is fouled.
30:16Looks like David Hallamann's looking at Julian Strother and saying,
30:18Hey, shoot that one.
30:20As Mark Dagnol.
30:23Cooling down after the possession was given to Denver.
30:28So, Bruce Brown going to the free-throw line.
30:30Such a key cog in that NBA championship in 2023 with this team.
30:36Started his career with Detroit and Brooklyn.
30:39His first stint in Denver.
30:41Signed the big deal with Indy before getting traded midseason to Toronto.
30:45And then finishing up last year in New Orleans.
30:49Has averaged double figures just twice in his career.
30:51But David Adelman said he's the perfect player to play alongside Nikola Jokic because of his cutting ability and his spot-up shooting.
30:59Yeah, just a perfect fit here with this team.
31:01And as Denver gets healthy and gets Aaron Gordon back and, you know, Tristan Brown and Johnson, like, this team has a chance to do something special.
31:12I'm feeling these two teams may meet up again down the road in the postseason.
31:17Isaiah Joe misfires.
31:18Jokic with his fourth rebound of the night.
31:23Strother in transition.
31:25Jokic has the mismatch with Wallace.
31:28Begging for the basketball.
31:29He's got it with an open lane.
31:30Goes right into Williams.
31:32Over the double for two.
31:33Right there, the little switch action.
31:35Wallace getting Williams on Jokic.
31:38It didn't matter.
31:40Jokic using that size and touch on the perimeter, or inside.
31:45OKC's offense trying to find something with SGA on the bench.
31:51It's Wiggins with six to shoot.
31:54Jokic has to step up.
31:55Three on the clock.
31:56Wiggins has to hoist, and he knocks it down.
32:00Aaron Wiggins bottoms from the outside.
32:05A backbreaker for that Denver defense.
32:13Three minutes gone on the fourth.
32:15Denver continuing to try to make a push.
32:19Strother cut off by Wiggins.
32:22Jokic had it ripped, but a foul on Wiggins.
32:26Short clock right here.
32:28Has the mismatch he won, and Jokic on him.
32:31Just takes his time.
32:32A little rhythm dribble.
32:33Top of the key three.
32:36And that kind of night from downtown for this Thunder team.
32:4219 of 41 from the three-point line.
32:4446 percent.
32:48Murray and Watson back on the floor for Denver.
32:50Jokic still out there.
32:5226 minutes played with 8.46 left.
32:54If they don't make a major dent in the next three or four minutes,
32:58you have to think Adaman will take Jokic out.
33:01That'll help.
33:01Peyton Watson.
33:02Another triple.
33:03Off the screen, Wallace finds Holmgren.
33:14And a strip on a foul.
33:15It's going to be Jokic swiping down at the ball.
33:18Or is it?
33:19It's going to be Hardaway instead, picking up a second.
33:23Right here, just a little two-man action.
33:25Beautiful bounce pass to Watson in the corner.
33:28And then on the roll to the basket, Holmgren reaching there on the arm
33:35to the free-throw line.
33:38So, I mean, OKC getting whatever they want in the offensive end,
33:43inside, outside, and everybody contributing to this onslaught.
33:47Let's take it with Ashley.
33:52About just how much each team learned from that playoff series.
33:55Well, he said any playoff series is so physical and mental,
33:59puts such a toll on you.
34:00But he said that playoff series specifically,
34:02you're playing against one of the most smartest players
34:05and one of the smartest teams in the league.
34:07When they do something, you have to come up with something to counter it.
34:09And then you have to counter that as well.
34:11So, it's so back and forth over that seven-game series.
34:14Chet telling me, I don't think people understand
34:16just how much goes into a seven-game series in terms of adjustments.
34:19And guys, Lee told me that playoff series
34:22was the hardest one he's ever played in.
34:24And I think we're seeing it tonight in Game 50 against these two teams.
34:27Well, Bruce Brown trying to do whatever he can to keep it close, Ashley.
34:30Appreciate that insight because Mark Dignall told us before the game
34:33about Chet Holmgren.
34:34He's going to call the timeout.
34:35To be great in the NBA, you have to be great at throwing and taking punches.
34:39And he doesn't know many players he's coached
34:41that has taken punches quite like that one.
34:45108-95, Denver is trying to make the late push at home.
34:49The two MVPs in this game have battled for years,
34:53whether it's been for their national teams,
34:56in the Nike Hoop Summit, early in their careers,
34:59in different-looking uniforms,
35:01in a different uniform entirely for one of them.
35:03And then the MVPs finish one and two each of the last two years.
35:07That's our key matchup,
35:08brought to you by Hyundai so far tonight.
35:11Advantage, SGA, 27 points, 12 assists.
35:15And now he's back on the floor
35:16for what should be the final stretch
35:18where they don't want to play.
35:19So it's Gilchrist-Alexander, Hartstein, Joe, Dort, and Wiggins.
35:27SGA had a block but a foul.
35:30Bruce Brown, the last line of defense, he's going to pick it up.
35:32And Gilchrist-Alexander with his 10th and 11th free throws of the night upcoming.
35:37And David Adelman went small there, took Jokic out of the game,
35:41didn't bring Valanciunas in.
35:42So no big down in there to protect the back line of the defense.
35:47And right away, the awareness from SGA attacks and draws that foul.
35:51He is just so smooth, number one in the NBA in field goals made per game at 11.
35:59He's got nine so far tonight.
36:01His 120th 20-point game, he is one point away from his 34th game of 30 or more points.
36:09And he's got his fifth double-double of the season.
36:11Five rebounds away from his third career triple-double.
36:14One of which came so far against Denver.
36:18Off the handoff, Murray spins on Dort.
36:23High off the window, just comes up short.
36:30Now it's SGA.
36:33Working on Hardaway.
36:34Bounce it, extra, around the horn.
36:37Wiggins tees it up.
36:39Watson couldn't claim it.
36:42Hartenstein does.
36:45Another chance for the Thunder.
36:46That's a deep run.
36:48Joe just comes up a little bit empty-handed.
36:54Oklahoma City, 19 of 43 from three.
36:57SJ nearly got to that pass, and he affected it.
37:00Out of bounds, turnover.
37:02And that pretty much sums up the night for Denver,
37:05particularly on the offensive end.
37:06When you have your two stars, Jamal Murray, a tough night, four of 16 from the field,
37:11one of eight from the three-point line.
37:13Jokic never really got going.
37:15Six of nine from the field.
37:17Those two don't play big.
37:19It's tough against the defending champs.
37:21SJ lost the ball.
37:22Brown got to it first.
37:25Enough time for one final push for Denver.
37:29Brown lines it up.
37:33The best three-point shooting team in the NBA.
37:35They have shot a high percentage, but the volume way lower than what Oklahoma City has brought
37:40to the table.
37:41Denver now 13 of 30 from three.
37:44FGA creates and sticks the J.
37:50His 34th game with 30 or more points.
37:53The reigning MVP looking like it at Ball Arena.
37:59Spencer Jones has the triple.
38:06The game just feels like it's always controlled by number two in the Thunder jersey.
38:13Get it to him again.
38:16Wiggins.
38:17Attack mode.
38:18And a foul called on Jones.
38:20And that last move on the previous possession, SGA, the little crossover sidestep, creates
38:30some separation.
38:31A late contest by Watson just makes it look easy.
38:34I said in the first half, I thought one of his underrated skills might be his shooting.
38:40Think about this.
38:4156% from the field.
38:4339% on three-pointers.
38:46Flirting with 90% on free throws.
38:48And just incredible efficiency and consistency from the MVP.
38:57Timeout Denver.
38:5814-point game.
39:01EA's biggest stars, USA versus the world.
39:05NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, February 13th through the 15th on NBC.
39:10And Peacock just past the midway point of the fourth quarter in Denver.
39:16And Nikola Jokic back on the floor.
39:1927 minutes so far tonight.
39:21Jokic and Murray both selected to the All-Star game.
39:25Last time Denver teammates were selected was 2010.
39:28This is the first time in Nikola Jokic's career that he has a teammate that will be going to the All-Star game.
39:35That's interesting.
39:36I think in 2010 that had to be Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson.
39:41That was Chauncey Billis.
39:41Oh, Chauncey Billis.
39:43Yeah.
39:435.50 to play in this fourth quarter.
39:50So they're going to go Jokic, Murray, Watson, Jones, and Strautler against Dort, Hartenstein, Wallace, Gilgis, Alexander, and Wiggins.
39:58Watson trying to force the issue.
39:59Comes up with a miss.
40:01SGA.
40:01Full pace.
40:05And it was a shot that ended up as a pass and a miss for Hartenstein.
40:09Watson ahead of the pack.
40:10High stepping to the ring.
40:13A little bit of contact there too on that move by Watson.
40:18What a beautiful move in transition.
40:2213-point game.
40:25Still a lot of time.
40:26Got to get stops on this end.
40:28We saw Denver do it early in the third quarter.
40:30They had it to one possession before the three-point barrage from Oklahoma City.
40:35Gilgis, Alexander, is fouled.
40:41Right here.
40:42The outlet pass to Watson in transition.
40:45Just attacking the rim using his length.
40:49A little bit of a swipe there.
40:51Might have been some contact.
40:53But once again on the other end.
40:56SGA driving to the rim.
40:58So slippery.
41:00And so adept at drawing fouls.
41:05Take a look at the upcoming national TV schedule tomorrow on Peacock.
41:09Minnesota at Memphis at 7.30 Eastern.
41:11Followed by the Sixers and Clippers.
41:13Then NBC and Peacock coast-to-coast Tuesday.
41:16Celtics and Mavs.
41:17Suns and Blazers.
41:18For more on these games, please go to NBA.com or visit the NBA app.
41:22Five minutes to play.
41:2414-point Oklahoma City lead.
41:27And a rip.
41:28And a steal.
41:29Oh, Kaysen Wallace finds the trailer.
41:32It's Holmgren had it fouled.
41:36Watson went up trying to go for the block.
41:38Holmgren will get free throws.
41:40And Watson will pick up his third.
41:43Right here.
41:44The defense from Kaysen Wallace.
41:46Picking up full court.
41:49Watson.
41:50A little careless with the ball there.
41:52And finding the streaking Holmgren.
41:54Took a little bit of a tough fall.
41:56Thankfully, he is okay.
42:00Frustration there from Watson.
42:01Someone of a quiet night for Holmgren.
42:08The night he was named a first-time All-Star.
42:1012 points, 4 rebounds.
42:121 assist.
42:133 blocks in 26 minutes.
42:16But hasn't shot it particularly well.
42:183 of 9 from the floor.
42:19And there's a lot of emotion when you get the news right before the game
42:23that you made your first All-Star game.
42:26And Holmgren and Jamal Murray both struggled a bit shooting the basketball.
42:31That might have been the factored into that.
42:35Murray driving kick.
42:37It's Watson.
42:38Splash.
42:40He has really improved his game.
42:45Really the only offensive weapon in this game for Denver.
42:504 of 5 from the 3-point line for Watson tonight.
42:54Tennis shoot for SGA.
42:56Step away.
42:572 more.
42:592 good.
43:01From the MVP.
43:0534 points.
43:08And a steal from Hortenstein as Jokic tried to hook it inside.
43:15118.
43:17103.
43:19Gilders Alexander on the move.
43:21Dort.
43:22Another 3.
43:23And Jokic has the board.
43:26Under 4 to play.
43:31Watson left alone.
43:33Missed the 3.
43:35Up high.
43:35Dort.
43:36Battle for the rebound.
43:37It's a jump ball to Jokic.
43:38Right here.
43:43Look at this.
43:43Step back.
43:45Still contested.
43:46Great concentration.
43:47I mean, his usage rate in the fourth quarter.
43:5139%.
43:52The highest in the NBA.
43:54And then right there.
43:55Both these guys wanting that ball.
44:00Two of the more physical guys on the court.
44:04They have been...
44:05interacting, let's say.
44:11Quite frequently through this game.
44:13Jokic got there first.
44:15But didn't feel like it was an even toss-up.
44:18Yeah, Dort.
44:19He stole that right there.
44:20What a journey for Lou Dort.
44:26Undrafted in 2019.
44:28Initially signed on a two-way deal.
44:29Has become one of the most important pieces on the team.
44:35That is the defending champion and has the best record in the NBA.
44:40Jokic had it taken away by Gilders Alexander.
44:42Running with Wallace.
44:43Wallace rises up for the slam.
44:47Timeout Denver.
44:48And that might be the dagger at Bull Arena.
44:54OKC turning on the Jets when it matters the most.
44:5917-point cushion.
45:02As Oklahoma City has pushed it back to a 17-point game.
45:06Career-high 27 from Kaysen Wallace.
45:09Helping to power this Oklahoma City offense.
45:11Pickett, Strother, Hunter Tyson, along with Zeke Nagy.
45:15And De'Ron Holmes, the five for Denver.
45:24Three minutes to play.
45:26Nearly another steal for Wallace.
45:27Holmes corrals.
45:30Around.
45:31Tyson.
45:32Pump.
45:33Sidestep.
45:33Dort just stayed with him.
45:35Two to shoot.
45:36Najee finally recognized.
45:39And it's an air ball.
45:40Lou Dort.
45:41That is another perfect example of his defensive intensity just making a massive difference.
45:48And you talked about his journey from Arizona State undrafted.
45:52Really, to me, three, four years ago, really helped establish the culture here.
45:57The selfless play.
45:59The commitment to defense.
46:02That's why they are so dangerous as Holmgren draws a foul to drive.
46:08To have an entire team that really commits, gives their all on that side of the floor.
46:14That's why they've been so dominant the last two, three years in the regular season.
46:18I mean, you look at this guy, Lou Dort, who's going to sit after this first free throw from Holmgren.
46:22You mentioned undrafted out of Arizona State.
46:25But his path goes far beyond that.
46:27A guy who was from Montreal, a rough neighborhood in Montreal, actually moved to the United States at 16 years old.
46:34Barely spoke any English growing up speaking French.
46:37And found his way to a couple of schools that gave him some more exposure.
46:41Eventually gets rated as a five-star recruit.
46:43Goes back to Canada for his senior year of high school.
46:46Goes to Arizona State as a very highly touted prospect.
46:50And plays well for the majority of the season.
46:53Your college teammate, Bobby Hurley.
46:54Anybody who called about him, he said, this guy's work ethic is off the charts.
46:58He can do everything on the court.
47:01He was a projected first-round pick going into the NBA draft.
47:05He goes to Barkley Center.
47:07Sits in the building.
47:08And pick by pick by pick in the first round, he never hears his name.
47:12He gets to the second round.
47:13Pick by pick by pick.
47:14Never hears his name.
47:15And so his family and Lou get up towards the end of the second round and start leaving with tears in his eyes
47:21as he gets a call from Sam Presti of the Oklahoma City Thunder saying,
47:25we want you on a two-way deal.
47:27And we believe that you have a chance to be a legitimate NBA player.
47:31In his rookie year, he could not shoot it from the outside.
47:34But his defense was so apparent in that first-round series against Houston.
47:38Game seven against James Harden, who at the time was the leading scorer in the NBA,
47:42and unstoppable offensive force made life so difficult for him.
47:46And now to see how he's developed as a shooter in his all-around game,
47:49it really is a fantastic story of perseverance
47:52and just understanding what your individual is capable of,
47:56both personally as Holmes knocks that one through,
48:00and also the coaching staff for the Thunder.
48:04Approaching two minutes to play here in Denver,
48:07and it looks like it's going to be another wire-to-wire win for Oklahoma City
48:14as Usman Jang misfires on the three ball.
48:16It'll be their sixth coast-to-coast victory.
48:21Start to finish.
48:23For Denver, just the second game back with Nikola Jokic
48:26as Tite-son will try the three, and he puts that one through.
48:30That is the 16th big three for the Nuggets tonight,
48:33but that three-point shooting in the third quarter for Oklahoma City was a difference.
48:37Yeah, that was the difference.
48:38And look, I mean, Denver played well in that third quarter,
48:41scored 30 points in the third quarter.
48:44It was just this incredible shooting from the three-point line.
48:50KC, a big-time win.
48:52You know, a team that had not been playing great basketball,
48:56lost three of their last four, 14 and 10, their last 24.
49:00This was a game they came in ready to play
49:05and knew the importance of sending a message.
49:07Strother can't hit on the three.
49:09Kason Wallace and Shea Gilchrist-Alexander combined for 61 points.
49:14Wow.
49:14On 20 of 30 from the floor.
49:18And remember, this is a Thunder team
49:19still playing without Jalen Williams.
49:22J-Dubb is missing his seventh consecutive game
49:25with the thigh injury.
49:28Stick around after the final buzzer
49:30for NBA Showtime presented by McDonald's.
49:35Recap everything here on Sunday Night Basketball.
49:39Still without Jalen Williams.
49:40No Alex Caruso missing his sixth straight game
49:43with an adductor injury.
49:44A.J. Mitchell's out for the fifth consecutive game
49:47with the abdominal strain for Denver
49:51as Tyson gets the bump.
49:55Jokic making the return for the second straight game.
49:57Murray was probable and did play in this one.
49:59Christian Brown out again with the ankle.
50:01Aaron Gordon missing his fourth straight
50:03with a hamstring.
50:04He'll be reevaluated in four to six weeks.
50:06Cam Johnson missing his 21st straight game
50:09with a right knee bone bruise.
50:11These guys, that starting lineup
50:13of Murray, Brown, Johnson, Gordon, and Jokic
50:16can only play ten games together this season.
50:20They're 8-2 when this lineup takes the court.
50:24So getting healthy and being healthy
50:27going into the postseason,
50:30a must for both teams,
50:31with Denver in particular.
50:33Feels like Aaron Gordon
50:35could be one of the swinging type of influences.
50:39Cam Johnson was brought here
50:40as just what felt like a perfect fit
50:43from a basketball perspective
50:44for Nikola Jokic's team.
50:46100%.
50:47How about last year?
50:47Aaron Gordon hitting the game winner
50:49in that series.
50:50Dealing with an injury.
50:51Just showing a lot of grit and toughness.
50:54They missed that grit and toughness
50:56from him in this game here tonight.
50:59Shot clock turned off.
51:00Final possession here for Denver.
51:02It's going to be Strother
51:02and he is fouled with 12.8 seconds remaining.
51:06So can bring it a little bit closer
51:08on the final score,
51:09but it will be window dressing at that.
51:12Strother can get himself
51:13up to double figures
51:14for just the fifth time this year.
51:17David Adelman back to the drawing board.
51:20These two teams will play
51:21three more times this year.
51:23They'll play again on February 27th,
51:25March 9th and April 10th.
51:28And Denver's hoping that
51:29they can make enough leeway
51:31that that April 10th matchup
51:33absolutely means a ton.
51:35They'll play three times
51:36for the next 37 days
51:38after this being just
51:39the first matchup of the season.
51:43And it's the first matchup
51:44that belonged to the Thunder.
51:46A wire-to-wire win
51:48for the best team in the NBA.
51:501-21, 1-11, the final
51:53as the Thunder
51:54take down the Nuggets on the road.
52:0934 and 13 assists
52:11for Gilgis-Alexander.
52:13Nikola Jokic, 29 minutes,
52:1516 points, 7 rebounds,
52:178 assists in a losing effort.
52:20Final score, Thunder, 1-21.
52:22Nuggets, 1-11.
52:23Thanks for watching.
52:24Sunday Night Basketball
52:25presented by Xfinity.
52:26Stay with us.
52:27We'll have more from Denver
52:28with NBA Showtime
52:29coming up right after the break.
52:34And moments ago,
52:35caught up with Ashley Shalmany.
52:39All right, I'm with the MVPs
52:41of tonight's game, if you will.
52:42Shay, I'm going to start
52:43with you first, though.
52:44Game number 50,
52:45and this is the first time
52:46that you guys are matching up
52:47with Denver.
52:48It was intense.
52:49It was chippy.
52:50I mean, this atmosphere
52:51was electric.
52:51Is it exactly what you expected
52:53this game to be like?
52:54Yeah, absolutely.
52:55High-level opponent
52:56with high-level talent,
52:57high-level coaching,
52:59high-level everything.
53:02They've won in the past,
53:03and they've continued
53:04to win games for a very long time
53:05because of those things.
53:06And we knew we were
53:06going to have to bring it today
53:07if we wanted to go in this building
53:08and get a W.
53:09And, Kacen, I mean,
53:10you guys winning this game
53:11in multiple facets,
53:12but you tonight,
53:13seven threes,
53:14a career high for you.
53:16Were you just feeling it from deep?
53:18Was it just one of those nights?
53:20Yeah, for sure.
53:20Definitely feeling it.
53:21Teammates finding me,
53:23you know,
53:23just having confidence in my shot.
53:24My teammates having confidence in me,
53:26and the ball was just going through.
53:28That was fun to watch.
53:29And, Shay, for you,
53:30I mean,
53:31you just continue to level up
53:32your game tonight
53:33over 30 points,
53:3413 assists.
53:36Does this team bring out
53:37the best in you?
53:38Yeah, absolutely.
53:39They need me every night,
53:42and I need them every night.
53:43That's our mantra.
53:44That's what we go by.
53:46The more often we bring it,
53:47no matter who we play,
53:48the better off we'll be.
53:49It's a long season,
53:50but we've got to continue
53:51to bring it on both ends
53:52every night
53:53and be there for each other.
53:54And a wire-to-wire win
53:56without some of your key players,
53:57some of the guys that played
53:58in that seven-game series.
54:00What kind of message
54:01does this one send
54:02just about the players
54:03you guys have as a whole?
54:04Yeah, I mean,
54:05one through 15,
54:06we have guys that have
54:07been in position
54:07and have played big minutes
54:09for us and helped us
54:10win big games.
54:11And every night in the NBA,
54:12we expect to win
54:13because of that.
54:14And when we don't,
54:15we don't make the excuse
54:15because we don't have guys out.
54:16We can still get it done,
54:17and we show so tonight.
54:18He's got a couple more
54:19matchups with them,
54:20but this one was fun.
54:21Thanks so much for your time.
54:22Appreciate you both.
54:22Thank you.
54:23Thank you.
54:24Have a good one.
54:24Noah.
54:26All right, Ashley,
54:26thanks so much.
54:27And that was exactly right.
54:28This one was fun.
54:29It was a great way
54:30to kick off Sunday night basketball,
54:31but it was the Thunder
54:33reminding everybody
54:34that especially when they
54:35shoot it well
54:35from the outside,
54:36they are a tough out.
54:38They are definitely
54:38a tough out.
54:39They came out,
54:39made big shots,
54:40particularly in that
54:41third quarter
54:42where they got hot
54:43from the three-point line.
54:45And of course, SGA
54:46just running the show,
54:48creating opportunities,
54:49getting a bucket
54:50whenever he wants.
54:51I also thought the defense,
54:53the defense in that
54:54second half from OKC,
54:55just active hands.
54:56They limited Jokic
54:58to 16 points.
54:59Jamal Merlin
55:00only had 12.
55:01Those two guys
55:02not scoring big,
55:03no chance for Denver
55:04against the world champs.
55:06We heard Tracy say it before,
55:07but Sunday night basketball,
55:08this was a fun way
55:09to kick it off.
55:09They had a great one
55:10at MSG and the energy
55:11in this building
55:11was off the charts.
55:12It felt like the playoffs.
55:13It did.
55:14In February.
55:15No doubt.
55:15Now this is what we dream of.
55:17You want matchups like this.
55:18Top two teams
55:19in the Western Conference
55:20going toe-to-toe
55:21and they delivered a great one.
55:22Oklahoma City coming away
55:23with a wire-to-wire victory.
55:25Upcoming schedule
55:25tomorrow on Peacock.
55:27Timberwolves and Grizzlies
55:28at 730 Eastern,
55:30followed by the 76ers
55:31and the L.A. Clippers
55:33at 10.
55:33Then Coast-to-Coast Tuesday
55:35begins with Boston
55:36in Dallas.
55:38And All-Star Weekend
55:39just around the corner.
55:40Friday, the 13th Rising Stars
55:42of the HBCU Classic.
55:44Then Saturday,
55:46thanks,
55:46it make it Valentine's Day.
55:48We've got the Kia Shooting Stars,
55:49the three-point contest
55:50and the AT&T Slam Dunk.
55:53All leads to the game.
55:55USA versus the World
55:56on February 15th.
55:58And Kaysen Wall is one
55:59of the stars of this one.
56:01Yeah, that's what happens
56:02when you knock down seven threes
56:04and have a career-high 27
56:05in Denver.
56:12He was spreading the sugar
56:13early and often in this one.
56:15Ends the game
56:16with 13 assists total.
56:18Had it rolling
56:19in the opening quarter.
56:22Got the Thunder off
56:23to a quick start.
56:24That's exactly what
56:25they were looking for
56:25and they finished strong as well.
56:27121-111.
56:30The final score.
56:31That's going to do it
56:32from Denver
56:32in a highly anticipated matchup
56:35that the Thunder
56:35will claim
56:37in a wire-to-wire fashion
56:38tomorrow night.
56:38Peacock NBA Monday
56:39has the T-Wolves and Grizzlies
56:41followed by the Sixers
56:42and Clippers
56:42for Grant Hill.
56:43Ashley Shomany,
56:44our entire NBC Sports crew.
56:47I'm Noah Eagles
56:47saying so long
56:48from Denver.
56:49Thank you for watching
56:50NBA Showtime
56:51presented by McDonald's.
56:53has the OS X.
57:04TheOS X.
57:09We'll see ya.
57:09After that,
57:09let's prove
57:10how Ethereum is
57:12available.
57:12We'll see ya.
57:13We'll see ya.
57:13Bye-bye.
57:14We'll see ya.
57:15Bye-bye.
57:16Hey!
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