THROWBACK: Thunder’s Win Over Nuggets in Game 4 Recalls Ugly Early 2000s Basketball…
Game 4 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets on Mother’s Day brought a level of play that felt like a throwback to the clunky, low-scoring NBA Playoffs of the early 2000s — and not in a good way.
After three thrilling, high-scoring matchups, including a dramatic overtime win by the Nuggets on Friday, Sunday’s game took a hard turn. Fans were treated to a sluggish, offensively inept performance that echoed the grinding style of teams like the 2000s Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs — more defensive chess match than exciting showcase.
The first quarter ended with OKC up 17-8 — a shockingly low score by modern NBA standards. The Thunder hit just one three-pointer and shot 6-of-22 overall, while Denver missed all 14 of its three-point attempts. It was a historic low — the kind of history no team wants to make.
This display was far removed from the explosive Game 2, where OKC poured in 149 points. Sunday’s outing, by contrast, looked like a relic of a bygone era where offense was optional and fans often tuned out.
Social media erupted with criticism and disbelief. From memes to blunt posts, fans shared their frustration. One user joked about the abundance of missed shots, while Bleacher Report’s betting page noted the game was on pace for a combined 100 points — a shockingly low total. ESPN’s Marc J. Spears posted the dreadful first-half stat sheet, adding to the public ridicule.
Tony Jones of The Athletic called out the NBA’s scheduling, criticizing the tight turnaround between Friday night’s late game and Sunday’s early start. “It’s not just ridiculous — it’s borderline dangerous,” he wrote.
On the court, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the lone bright spot for OKC, scoring 12 points in 13 minutes. No other Thunder player managed more than four points through the second quarter — including Chet Holmgren. Denver’s stars didn’t fare much better; Nikola Jokic had only two points, and Russell Westbrook was scoreless.
For those in attendance at Ball Arena, it was a first half they’d likely rather forget.
