In a nail-biting Game 4 showdown, Nikola Jokic's shooting struggles continued as the Denver Nuggets fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder, evening their series at 2-2. Despite Jokic's 27-point performance, his 7-of-22 shooting and critical missed free throws highlighted his uncharacteristic slump, shooting just 33.3% over the last three games. The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stepped up in clutch moments to secure the win, emphasizing the importance of delivering when it matters most in the playoffs.
Both teams faced shooting woes in a gritty defensive battle, with the Nuggets and Thunder combining for the lowest field goal percentage in a playoff game since 2004. The physical toll of back-to-back intense matchups was evident, as both squads struggled to find offensive rhythm early on. Despite fatigue concerns, Jokic remained focused and determined to improve his performance heading into a pivotal Game 5, while the Thunder's defensive efforts, led by Isaiah Hartenstein, proved crucial in containing the MVP finalist.