Facing the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder was always going to be a challenge, but the experienced Denver Nuggets have been here before. In 2023, Denver powered through the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, LA Lakers, and Miami Heat to capture their first-ever NBA title.
Last season, they made it to the Western Conference semifinals, and this year’s team looked poised to make another deep playoff run.
In Game 1 of this year’s Western Conference series, a 42-point performance from Nikola Jokic helped Denver edge out a 121-119 win. However, a dominant 43-point victory by the Thunder in Game 2 left the Nuggets searching for answers heading into Game 3.
Nuggets Hit Back With Historic Win in Game 3 of Western Conference Series
All eyes were on the Nuggets Friday night to see how they would respond to Wednesday’s crushing defeat. Denver answered the call with a crucial overtime victory in Game 3, reclaiming the edge in the series.
After a lopsided Game 2 loss, few experts gave the Nuggets a chance. History wasn’t on their side either—since 2000, only three NBA teams had gone on to win a playoff game after losing by 40 points or more. With their 113-104 win on Friday, Denver became just the fourth team to accomplish that rare feat.
Only 4 teams have won a playoff game following a 40-point loss since 2000 👀
– Rockets vs Lakers (2009)
– Celtics vs Cavs (2017)
– Rockets vs Warriors (2018)
– Nuggets vs Thunder (TONIGHT)(via @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/tKEYJrXKZQ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 10, 2025
The last team to rebound from a 40-point defeat was the Houston Rockets back in 2018. On that occasion, it was a 30-point effort from James Harden that saw Houston take Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals after a devastating 126-85 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 3.
The Rockets were able to step up to the challenge another time in 2009. After a 118-78 loss to the Lakers at the Staples Center, a strong defensive performance in Game 6 saw Houston secure a 95-80 win to even the series at 3-3.
Over the last 25 years, the Boston Celtics were the only Eastern Conference team to win a playoff game after a 40-point plus defeat, storming back in Game 3 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals after a 130-86 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jamal Murray’s 27-Point Performance Leads Nuggets to Vital Win
Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook led the team in points over the first two games of the series, and this time it was Jamal Murray’s turn to step up. The 28-year-old guard was outstanding on the night, leading the team with 27 points and eight assists. Murray was 9-for-19 from the field and converted two 3-pointers.
In what turned out to be a rare off night for three-time MVP Jokic (he was 0-for-10 from behind the arc), Murray’s solid shooting performance was critical for Denver.
The Nuggets currently lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 set to take place at Ball Arena on Sunday.
Go nuggets 70 years old been with them since they were the Denver Rockets. Now they, have the best big man in the game. And just maybe best all, time. Only time will tell. 12th generation colorado, native. Remember it was the nina, pinta, santa maria. Not the jones , jackson, smith or may flower for that matter. That founded the Good USA. Go sports world.