By Michael Kinney
After starting the NBA season 2-0, the Oklahoma City Thunder home Sunday to start a six game home stand at the Paycom Center.
Unfortunately for the Thunder, it didn’t get off to the bang they had hoped for. In front of a sold-out crowd, they were blown out 128-95 by the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
“They’re defending champs, and they’re not that by fluke,” Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They play the right way on both ends of the floor and they are a really good basketball team. They came to play tonight. We weren’t good enough to compete against them.”
Gilgeous-Alexander was held to just 7 points on 2-of-16 shooting from the field.
Finals MVP Nikola Jokic posted 28 points and 14 rebounds in the victory. He also complimented Thunder big man Chet Holmgren, who scored a season high 19 points in his first regular season game at home.
“He’s a really talented guy, but this is his first year. He’s still learning everything,” Jokic said. “I think he needs to be a little bit fatter, to be honest. But yes, he has a talent that is unique.”
The Thunder didn’t have long to wait to get back on the court. They hosted the Detroit Pistons and former No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham Monday night.
It was a much-improved performance out of the Thunder as they jumped out early and didn’t let up as they rolled to a 124-112 victory.
Gilgeous-Alexander bounced back and scored 32 points on 11 of 23 shooting. He also grabbed nine rebounds to go along with four assists and three steals.
Josh Giddey scored 21 points while Jalen Williams chipped in with 19 as the Thunder moved to 3-1 in their first week of action.
Oklahoma City is back in action Wednesday when the New Orleans Pelicans (2-1) come to town. They will then host the Golden State Warriors Friday night. It will be their first game of the new in-season tournament the NBA unveiled this year.
The tournament will tip off with Group Play on Friday. The single-elimination Knockout Rounds begin with the Quarterfinals (Dec. 4 and 5), before the tournament culminates at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with the Semifinals (Dec. 7) and Championship (Dec. 9).
Special courts have been designed that will be used just for the in-season tournament.
The Thunder will close out their home stand with the Atlanta Hawks Monday and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
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