Thunder Stuns Nuggets with Record-Breaking First Quarter, Lead Series 2-0

In a rapid turnaround from their home defeat in Game 1, the Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a devastating blow to the Denver Nuggets last night, leading the series 2-0. The Thunder racked up a staggering 87 points in the first quarter alone, a record that left the Nuggets reeling and sparked concern among their camp.

“We exploded and we gave the stick to get beaten.”

– Denver Nuggets Head Coach, Michael Malone

Michael Malone was candid in his assessment, “We were not good and we have to realize that, opposite, it is a team that can make huge differences. They made a record average difference this season. We have to start better.”

Learning from Mistakes

The Nuggets acknowledge their shortcomings. Star player, Michael Porter Jr., powereed, “We know that we must be more physical, we must find our positions in attack. We were not good in Game 2 and that is why we lost.” His remarks were echoed by center, Nikola Jokic, who added, “We made too many mistakes, lost too many balls. They were much better than us, in particular, that’s why the score is so wide. We have to fight to take our positions in the rebound.”

The Depth Factor

A key concern for the Nuggets is the Thunder’s depth. Coach Malone conceded, “They have a lot of players” who are willing to put in the effort to exhaust the Nuggets. The Thunder’s bench played a significant role, with ten players making their mark in the first half alone.

“The most important, with this team, is not the first time, it is the rotations.”

– Michael Malone

Malone stressed the importance of managing fatigue and rotations against a team like the Thunder, who attack from all angles with players like Alex Caruso.

What’s Next for the Nuggets?

The Nuggets will need to dig deep and make significant changes heading into Game 3. They’ll have to tighten up their defense, limit turnovers, and effectively use their bench to keep up with the Thunder’s relentless pace.

Did you know? The Thunder’s highest-scoring quarter this season was 89 points.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Nuggets’ big men, Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr., as they’ll need to step up their game if they hope to claw their way back into the series.

Let us know your thoughts on the series so far, can the Nuggets bounce back from this 2-0 deficit? Leave a comment below.

Valentina Ponomar, a sports journalist with 247sports.news, brings you this in-depth news expansion.