Thunder Reserves Shine Despite Road Defeat to Nuggets

Denver picked up a 127-107 win over Oklahoma City on Friday at Ball Arena. Both clubs rested a long list of regulars for the penultimate game.

The Nuggets were missing all five usual starters, and only nine Denver players appeared on the video board. A Migos track blared the arena speakers as the depleted home squad warmed up.

Why Oklahoma City sat players

OKC ruled out 10 players after clinching the West’s top seed with two games left. Coach Mark Daigneault said the club earned the right to manage minutes.

Daigneault cited last season’s wrist injury to Jalen Williams as a lesson. The team chose a conservative load management approach to reduce playoff risk.

Lu Dort and minutes management

Lu Dort was the only starter who suited up for the Thunder. He played 21 minutes to satisfy the NBA’s 65-game award rule.

Dort finished with five points and three rebounds. He exited with 8:01 left in the third quarter and did not return.

Nikola Topić’s first start

Nikola Topić made his first career start and drew praise from Daigneault. The 20-year-old has overcome an ACL tear and a cancer diagnosis.

Topić delivered 14 points and 11 assists in 39 minutes. He also had four steals and eight turnovers while shooting 6-for-12 overall.

Topić said the altitude and game speed affected his conditioning. He expects to clean up turnovers as he gains experience.

Standings and playoff implications

Denver’s victory left the Nuggets at 53-28 and holding third place in the West. They sit one game ahead of the Lakers, who own the tiebreaker, with one game remaining.

San Antonio has already clinched the second seed. With San Antonio second and Denver third, OKC would face a favorable postseason path.

Clique to clinch

Denver can secure third by beating San Antonio on Sunday. A Lakers loss at home to Utah would also hand Denver the spot.

Absences and injury reports

• OKC out: Alex Caruso (rest), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right oblique management), Isaiah Hartenstein (left soleus management).
• OKC out continued: Chet Holmgren (low back spasms), Isaiah Joe (left knee soreness), Ajay Mitchell (left ankle management).
• OKC out continued: Thomas Sorber (right ACL recovery), Cason Wallace (left great toe soreness), Jalen Williams (right hamstring management), Jaylin Williams (right Achilles tendinitis).
• Denver out: Christian Braun (left ankle management, right hip flexor strain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring management), Cameron Johnson (right ankle management).
• Denver out continued: Nikola Jokić (right wrist management), Spencer Jones (right hamstring strain), Jamal Murray (right shoulder impingement), Peyton Watson (right hamstring strain).

Notes and next steps

Eight Oklahoma City players who did suit up received larger roles. The Thunder reserves showed promise and helped the club remain competitive.

Thunder reserves got extended minutes and still managed to shine in a road defeat against the Nuggets. OKC’s regular-season schedule lists a Sunday game at Paycom Center.

Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and the NBA for Filmogaz.com. Fans can follow upcoming matchups and roster updates there.