Who was the leading scorer for Denver in this game?

Aaron Gordon led the Denver Nuggets with 23 points on highly efficient shooting. He made 6 of 14 field goal attempts (42.9%), including 2 of 4 three-pointers (50%), and 9 of 10 free throws (90%), while also contributing 10 total rebounds in 28:29 of playing time.

What was the game-winning play?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a stepback three-pointer with 0:03 seconds remaining to give the Thunder a 129-126 victory. This came after Nikola Jokic had hit a crucial three-pointer for Denver with 0:08 left, making for an extremely tight and dramatic finish.

How did Aaron Gordon perform in the game?

Aaron Gordon had an excellent game for Denver with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in 28:29 of playing time. He was highly efficient across all shooting categories (42.9% FG, 50% 3P, 90% FT) and posted a +14 plus-minus rating despite the loss.

Where was the game played?

The game was played at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, giving the Thunder the home court advantage. This was an away game for the Denver Nuggets.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets - March 9, 2026

Updated March 28, 2026

Denver Nuggets

Western Conference team that fell just short in an exciting road loss

Teams looking for resilient performances even in defeat, with individual star performances

Oklahoma City Thunder

NBA Western Conference leaders with MVP-caliber star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Teams demonstrating championship-caliber clutch performance and home court dominance

Short Answer

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 129-126 in a close matchup on March 9, 2026. Aaron Gordon led Denver with 23 points while the Thunder's balanced scoring and clutch late-game performance secured the victory at home.

Our Verdict

The Oklahoma City Thunder prevailed in a thrilling contest against the Denver Nuggets, winning 129-126 at home with clutch execution in the final seconds. While Denver's Aaron Gordon delivered an efficient performance with 23 points, Oklahoma City's balanced attack and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's game-winning stepback three-pointer proved decisive. This matchup showcased the competitive nature of NBA basketball, with both teams trading baskets down the stretch in an intense battle.

Denver Nuggets8

7Oklahoma City Thunder

Choose Denver Nuggets if

Teams looking for resilient performances even in defeat, with individual star performances

Choose Oklahoma City Thunder if

Teams demonstrating championship-caliber clutch performance and home court dominance

Key Differences at a Glance

🔹

Final Score: Denver Nuggets wins (129 points vs 126 points)

📅

Home Court Advantage: Oklahoma City Thunder wins (Home game at Paycom Center vs Away game)

🔹

Leading Scorer: Aaron Gordon: 23 points vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (game clincher)

See all 6 differences

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Key Differences

Denver Nuggets

Attribute

Oklahoma City Thunder

129 points🏆

Final Score

126 points

Away game

Home Court Advantage

Home game at Paycom Center🏆

Aaron Gordon: 23 points

Leading Scorer

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (game clincher)

23 pts on 42.9% FG, 50% 3P🏆

Aaron Gordon Efficiency

N/A

+14 plus-minus (Gordon)

Game Momentum

Late-game clutch execution🏆

Jokic 3-pointer with 0:08 left (125-126)

Game Deciding Play

Gilgeous-Alexander stepback 3 with 0:03 left (126-129)🏆

Final Score

Denver Nuggets

129 points🏆

Oklahoma City Thunder

126 points

Home Court Advantage

Denver Nuggets

Away game

Oklahoma City Thunder

Home game at Paycom Center🏆

Leading Scorer

Denver Nuggets

Aaron Gordon: 23 points

Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (game clincher)

Aaron Gordon Efficiency

Denver Nuggets

23 pts on 42.9% FG, 50% 3P🏆

Oklahoma City Thunder

N/A

Game Momentum

Denver Nuggets

+14 plus-minus (Gordon)

Oklahoma City Thunder

Late-game clutch execution🏆

Game Deciding Play

Denver Nuggets

Jokic 3-pointer with 0:08 left (125-126)

Oklahoma City Thunder

Gilgeous-Alexander stepback 3 with 0:03 left (126-129)🏆

Full Comparison

Attribute	Denver Nuggets	Oklahoma City Thunder

Nikola Jokic Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG)	27.2	—

Kawhi Leonard Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG)	N/A	—

Team Offensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions)	113.8	—
Team Defensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions)	107.2	—

Championships Won(titles)	1 (2023)	—

Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)(APG)	7.8 (Murray)	—

Three-Point Shooting Percentage(%)	36.8	—
Aaron Gordon Field Goal %(%)	42.9% (6-14 FG)	N/A
Aaron Gordon Three-Point %(%)	50% (2-4 3P)	N/A
Aaron Gordon Free Throw %(%)	90% (9-10 FT)	N/A
Field Goal Percentage(%)	48.2%	—

Average Team Payroll (2025-26)(Million USD)	$182M	—

Nikola Jokic Points Per Game(PPG)	33.6 PPG	N/A
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Points Per Game(PPG)	N/A	30.1 PPG

Team Defensive Rating(DRTG)	108.2	105.8

2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins)	57-25	56-26
Wins-Losses Record(W-L)	48-22	—
Regular Season Record(Wins-Losses)	57-16	—
Conference Standing(Seed Position)	1st Seed	—

NBA Championship Titles(Titles)	1 (2023)	0

Average Team Age(years)	27.8 years	24.8

Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)	118.2	119.3
Assists Per Game (Team)(assists)	28.4	—
Points Per Game (Team Scoring)(PPG)	116.8	—
Points Per Game(PPG)	118.5	—

Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(appearances)	5 of 5	2 of 5
Season Record (2025-26)(wins-losses)	47-22	—

Championship Titles(titles)	1	—

Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)	110.5	108.5
Steals Per Game (Team)(steals)	8.9	—

Net Rating(points per 100 possessions)	+7.7	—

Star Player (Primary)	Nikola Jokic (MVP)	—
Star Player PPG Average(PPG)	30.2 (SGA)	—

Bench Scoring(points per game)	28.4	26.4

Three-Point Percentage(percent)	37.8%	37.4%
3-Point Percentage(percent)	37.9%	—

Most Recent Playoff Round	Finals (2024)	—
Last Conference Finals Appearance(year)	Never	—

Final Score(points)	129	126

Location	Away - Denver, CO	Home - Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

Aaron Gordon Points(points)	23	N/A

Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating)	+14	N/A

Game-Winning Play	Jokic 3P (0:08 remaining) - 125-126	Gilgeous-Alexander stepback 3P (0:03 remaining) - 126-129

Win-Loss Record(games)	54-16	—
Playoff Seed Position(Seed Ranking)	2nd (West)	—
Conference Rank(position)	1st (Western)	—

Leading Scorer PPG(Points Per Game)	33.4 (SGA)	—

Rebounds Per Game (Team)(rebounds)	47.1	—
Rebounds Leader RPG(Rebounds Per Game)	10+ (Holmgren)	—

Leading Scorer Average(PPG)	28.1 (SGA)	—

Team Assists Per Game(APG)	28.3	—

Average Points Per Game(points)	117.8	—

All-Star Selections(players)	3 All-Stars	—

Playoff Seed(position)	1st seed	—

Points Allowed Per Game(PPG)	109.3	—

Rebounds Per Game(RPG)	47.1	—

All-Time Championships(titles)	0	—

Playoff Appearances (2021-2026)(appearances)	4	—

Current Star Player Rating(NBA tier)	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Elite)	—

Coach Tenure(seasons)	6 seasons	—

Expected Win Total (2025-26)(wins)	48-52	—

Offensive Rating Potential(points per 100)	115.2	—

Assists Leader APG(Assists Per Game)	10.9 (SGA)	—

Head-to-Head Result (HOU@OKC)(Final Score)	110 points	—

Third Quarter Dominance(Scoring Margin)	Led 52-46 at halftime	—

Bench Depth Indicator(Contributing Players)	Williams, Holmgren, SGA balanced attack	—

Denver Nuggets

Oklahoma City Thunder

Nikola Jokic Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG)

27.2

—

Kawhi Leonard Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG)

N/A

—

Team Offensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions)

113.8

—

Team Defensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions)

107.2

—

Championships Won(titles)

1 (2023)

—

Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)(APG)

7.8 (Murray)

—

Three-Point Shooting Percentage(%)

36.8

—

Aaron Gordon Field Goal %(%)

42.9% (6-14 FG)

N/A

Aaron Gordon Three-Point %(%)

50% (2-4 3P)

N/A

Aaron Gordon Free Throw %(%)

90% (9-10 FT)

N/A

Field Goal Percentage(%)

48.2%

—

Average Team Payroll (2025-26)(Million USD)

$182M

—

Nikola Jokic Points Per Game(PPG)

33.6 PPG

N/A

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Points Per Game(PPG)

N/A

30.1 PPG

Team Defensive Rating(DRTG)

108.2

105.8

2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins)

57-25

56-26

Wins-Losses Record(W-L)

48-22

—

Regular Season Record(Wins-Losses)

57-16

—

Conference Standing(Seed Position)

1st Seed

—

NBA Championship Titles(Titles)

1 (2023)

Average Team Age(years)

27.8 years

24.8

Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)

118.2

119.3

Assists Per Game (Team)(assists)

28.4

—

Points Per Game (Team Scoring)(PPG)

116.8

—

Points Per Game(PPG)

118.5

—

Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(appearances)

5 of 5

2 of 5

Season Record (2025-26)(wins-losses)

47-22

—

Championship Titles(titles)

—

Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)

110.5

108.5

Steals Per Game (Team)(steals)

8.9

—

Net Rating(points per 100 possessions)

+7.7

—

Star Player (Primary)

Nikola Jokic (MVP)

—

Star Player PPG Average(PPG)

30.2 (SGA)

—

Bench Scoring(points per game)

28.4

26.4

Three-Point Percentage(percent)

37.8%

37.4%

3-Point Percentage(percent)

37.9%

—

Most Recent Playoff Round

Finals (2024)

—

Last Conference Finals Appearance(year)

Never

—

Final Score(points)

129

126

Location

Away - Denver, CO

Home - Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

Aaron Gordon Points(points)

N/A

Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating)

+14

N/A

Game-Winning Play

Jokic 3P (0:08 remaining) - 125-126

Gilgeous-Alexander stepback 3P (0:03 remaining) - 126-129

Win-Loss Record(games)

54-16

—

Playoff Seed Position(Seed Ranking)

2nd (West)

—

Conference Rank(position)

1st (Western)

—

Leading Scorer PPG(Points Per Game)

33.4 (SGA)

—

Rebounds Per Game (Team)(rebounds)

47.1

—

Rebounds Leader RPG(Rebounds Per Game)

10+ (Holmgren)

—

Leading Scorer Average(PPG)

28.1 (SGA)

—

Team Assists Per Game(APG)

28.3

—

Average Points Per Game(points)

117.8

—

All-Star Selections(players)

3 All-Stars

—

Playoff Seed(position)

1st seed

—

Points Allowed Per Game(PPG)

109.3

—

Rebounds Per Game(RPG)

47.1

—

All-Time Championships(titles)

—

Playoff Appearances (2021-2026)(appearances)

—

Current Star Player Rating(NBA tier)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Elite)

—

Coach Tenure(seasons)

6 seasons

—

Expected Win Total (2025-26)(wins)

48-52

—

Offensive Rating Potential(points per 100)

115.2

—

Assists Leader APG(Assists Per Game)

10.9 (SGA)

—

Head-to-Head Result (HOU@OKC)(Final Score)

110 points

—

Third Quarter Dominance(Scoring Margin)

Led 52-46 at halftime

—

Bench Depth Indicator(Contributing Players)

Williams, Holmgren, SGA balanced attack

—

Visual Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes

Pros & Cons

Denver Nuggets

3 pros2 cons

Pros

Aaron Gordon's efficient 23-point performance (42.9% FG, 50% 3P)
Nikola Jokic hitting crucial late-game three-pointer with 0:08 remaining
Maintained competitiveness throughout four quarters on the road

Cons

Allowed game-winning three-pointer with 0:03 left
3-point deficit in the final seconds despite strong comeback effort

Oklahoma City Thunder

4 pros2 cons

Pros

Home court victory at Paycom Center with strong finish
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's game-winning stepback three-pointer with 0:03 left
Balanced team execution with multiple players contributing throughout the game
Strong defensive execution down the stretch to secure the win

Cons

Nearly surrendered the game with late-game Denver rally
Required final-second heroics rather than comfortable lead

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 129-126 in an exciting matchup played at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. It was a close game decided by clutch plays in the final seconds, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hitting the game-winning three-pointer with just 3 seconds remaining.

Resources & Learn More

Dive deeper with these curated resources

Wikipedia

Denver Nuggets on Wikipedia

Western Conference team that fell just short in an exciting road loss

Oklahoma City Thunder on Wikipedia

NBA Western Conference leaders with MVP-caliber star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

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Last updated: March 28, 2026AI generated