OKC Thunder: Key Takeaways offer silver lining in loss to Nuggets

The OKC Thunder fell to the Denver Nuggets, but here’s what you can be optimistic about.

After a hard fought game the OKC Thunder fell short to the Denver Nuggets in Tuesday night’s game. However, in their defeat, there were a number of positive takeaways that the team can reflect on.

The Denver Nuggets defeated the OKC Thunder in a final score of 121 to 112. Trailing early in the contest, the Thunder battled back with a  26-6 run in the fourth to make it a very competitive and physical game down the stretch.

Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and Jerami Grant left it all on the court and were able to erase a double-digit lead.  Oklahoma City currently sits as the number 3 seed directly behind Denver, and last night was a game that carried a great deal of significance between two Northwest division teams.

It was a phenomenal battle between two powerhouses that seem destined to create pandemonium in the playoffs. Ironically it had the feel of a playoff atmosphere, as the game got slightly chippy from the fans to the players.

Playoff Implications

The OKC Thunder are currently 4 games behind the Nuggets, and 5 games behind the number one seeded Warriors. Oaklohama City faithful looked forward to this game as a benchmark to examine themselves against the second most dangerous team in the Western Conference.

Numerous eyes were focused on this nationally televised game. Both teams have been playing with chips on their shoulders due to being constantly overlooked and counted out.

Similarly, both teams were led by their potential MVP candidates. When the dust had settled the Thunder had fallen, but their defeat provided a few silver linings that foreshadow OKC being a more formidable threat going into the second half of the season.