Key Takeaways:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 34 points and 13 assists to lift Oklahoma City past Denver 121-111
- Cason Wallace set a career high with 27 points, connecting on seven three-pointers for the Thunder
- Peyton Watson led the Nuggets with 29 points in the first of four regular-season meetings between the Western Conference’s top two sides
Match Analysis
Oklahoma City Thunder seized control early and maintained their edge throughout as they overcame the Denver Nuggets 121-111 in Denver on Sunday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander starred with 34 points and 13 assists, providing the creative spark the Thunder needed. Cason Wallace registered a career-best 27 points, lighting it up from beyond the arc by hitting seven three-pointers.
The visitors built a 14-point lead during the first half and entered halftime with a 62-55 advantage. Denver attempted to rally, narrowing the deficit to 74-70 in the third quarter. However, the Thunder immediately responded, launching a decisive 12-0 run on four consecutive three-pointers from Chet Holmgren, Wallace, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Aaron Wiggins. That critical spurt saw them stretch their margin to 16 and ensured Denver could not find a foothold in the contest.
Wire-to-wire W ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/LOBwgPFQKe
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 2, 2026
Player Performances and Team Statistics
Cason Wallace’s remarkable sharpshooting gave Oklahoma City a vital edge. The Thunder collectively hit 19 three-pointers, punctuating their dominance by making 8 of 13 from deep in the third quarter alone. Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated the offence exceptionally with 13 assists and powered the scoring effort with 34 points.
For Denver, Peyton Watson led the way with 29 points. However, the Nuggets’ All-Star duo were kept relatively quiet; Nikola Jokic, appearing in only his second game since returning from a 16-game absence due to a knee injury, finished with 16 points on nine shot attempts. Jamal Murray contributed 12 assists but was limited to 12 points, converting just 4 of 16 field goals and 1 of 8 from distance.
Below is a summary of key individual and team statistics from the matchup:
| Team | Top Scorer | Assists Leader | Three-Pointers Made | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (34) | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13) | 19 | 121 |
| Denver Nuggets | Peyton Watson (29) | Jamal Murray (12) | 16 | 111 |
Injury Notes and Squad Updates
Both sides were forced to adjust to significant absences. The Thunder were without Jalen Williams (hamstring), Ajay Mitchell (abdomen), and Alex Caruso (right adductor strain). Despite this, centre Isaiah Hartenstein returned from a calf issue. Denver welcomed Nikola Jokic back for his second game post-knee injury, but continued to miss Christian Braun (left ankle), Cameron Johnson (right knee), and Aaron Gordon (right hamstring) – with Gordon not expected back until mid-March.
Looking Ahead
Oklahoma City will return home to face the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, while Denver travels to meet the Detroit Pistons that same evening. Both sides will be aiming to regain full health as the All-Star break approaches.
