Canada’s Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to win over Nuggets

DENVER — Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 factors, Chet Holmgren added 25 as a part of a stellar all-around efficiency and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 102-87 on Thursday evening within the season opener for each groups.

Holmgren proved to be a handful on each ends of the ground. He tied a profession excessive with 14 rebounds, and had 5 assists and blocked 4 photographs. Reserve Aaron Wiggins added 15 factors.

It was an necessary divisional recreation proper out of the gate. The Thunder and Nuggets each completed 57-25 final season, with the Thunder incomes the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention by advantage of a tiebreaker.

Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had 16 factors, 13 assists and 12 rebounds for Denver.

Jokic’s level guard accomplice, Jamal Murray, had 12 factors on 4-of-14 taking pictures. Christian Braun added 16 factors. whereas Aaron Gordon, recent off signing a brand new contract extension, added 12 factors. Denver was 7 of 39 on 3-pointers.

Takeaways

Thunder: Holmgren can run the ground with authority. Within the third quarter, he blocked a shot by Jokic, ran the down the court docket, took a cross and and threw down a strong dunk.

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Nuggets: The Thunder’s bench outscored the Nuggets’ reserves 25-16. New addition Russell Westbrook had six factors on 2-of-10 taking pictures.

Key second

Earlier than the sport, Denver gamers and coaches paid tribute to the late Dikembe Mutombo by sporting T-shirts emblazoned with a picture of the large man’s iconic finger wag. Within the first quarter, the staff confirmed a video tribute celebrating Mutombo’s massive accomplishments on and off the court docket. Then, followers stood and applauded for 55 seconds — his quantity. Mutombo died final month of mind most cancers. He was 58.

Key stat

At a median of 24 years, 148 days, the Thunder opened the common season with the youngest roster within the league.

Up subsequent

The Thunder are at Chicago on Saturday evening, whereas the Nuggets host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday evening.

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