In a thrilling NBA clash that reignited a fierce Western Conference rivalry, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a decisive 121-111 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, which was Monday, February 2, 2026, in Philippine time. The game featured standout performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace, who propelled the Thunder to a much-needed win after a recent slump.
Thunder's Dynamic Duo Shines Bright
According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was in spectacular form, erupting for 34 points and dishing out 13 assists. His leadership on the court was pivotal as the Thunder, who had lost three of their last four games, bounced back with a dominant display. Complementing his effort, rookie Cason Wallace fired a career-high 27 points, including an impressive seven three-pointers, showcasing his sharpshooting skills.
Three-Point Barrage Seals the Deal
The Thunder's offensive firepower was on full display, as they drained a total of 19 three-pointers throughout the game. A key moment came in the third quarter when Oklahoma City went 8-of-13 from beyond the arc, stretching a seven-point halftime lead to 16 points. This surge was sparked by Chet Holmgren and Wallace from long range, followed by back-to-back triples from Gilgeous-Alexander and Aaron Wiggins, capping a decisive 12-0 run that put the game out of reach.
Nuggets Struggle to Find Rhythm
On the opposing side, the Denver Nuggets, who never held the lead in this first of four meetings this season between the top two teams in the Western Conference, faced significant challenges. Peyton Watson led the Nuggets with 29 points, but the team's All-Star tandem struggled to find their groove. Nikola Jokic, in his second game back after missing 16 games due to a knee injury, finished with only 16 points on nine shot attempts. Meanwhile, Jamal Murray tallied 12 assists but scored just 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting, including a poor 1-of-8 from three-point range.
Historical Context Adds Intensity
This showdown carried extra weight as it marked their first meeting since the Thunder eliminated Denver in Game 7 of last season's Western Conference semifinals, a pivotal moment on Oklahoma City's path to winning the franchise's first NBA championship. The loss extended Denver's woes, highlighting their ongoing battle to regain form against a determined Thunder squad.
Other NBA Action Highlights
In other games across the league, the Washington Wizards edged the Sacramento Kings 116-112 in a battle between last-place teams. Rookie Will Riley scored a season-high 18 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 2:07 remaining, helping the Wizards snap a losing streak. AJ Johnson added 17 points, while Bilal Coulibaly and Marvin Bagley III chipped in 15 each. For the Kings, Zach LaVine scored 35 points and DeMar DeRozan added 32, but they suffered their ninth straight loss, remaining last in the Western Conference.
Additional results from the night included:
- Boston Celtics beat Milwaukee Bucks 107-79
- Miami Heat defeated Chicago Bulls 134-91
- Detroit Pistons routed Brooklyn Nets 130-77
- Toronto Raptors beat Utah Jazz 107-100
- New York Knicks topped Los Angeles Lakers 112-100
- Los Angeles Clippers won 117-93 at Phoenix
- Cleveland triumphed 130-111 at Portland
- San Antonio Spurs defeated Orlando Magic 112-103
Overall, the night was marked by high-scoring affairs and standout individual performances, with the Thunder's victory over the Nuggets standing out as a key moment in the ongoing NBA season.
