In a tense Game 3, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder were overtaken by the Denver Nuggets, who secured a hard-fought 113-104 victory in overtime. After a dominating performance in Game 2, the Thunder struggled to maintain their momentum and fell behind in the series, now trailing 2-1. Gilgeous-Alexander's offensive struggles were evident as he managed only 18 points, shooting 7-of-22 from the field, while missing crucial opportunities in the final minutes. Despite his contributions of 13 rebounds and 7 assists, he faced criticism for not stepping up when it mattered most. Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein were unable to fill the scoring void left by their star point guard, as the Nuggets capitalized on their mistakes.

The game ended in regulation with a 102-102 tie before the Nuggets dominated overtime. Observers noted Nikola Jokic’s uncharacteristic shooting struggles but still praised the Nuggets for their resilience. As the Thunder gear up for Game 4, they must address their shooting woes and ensure Gilgeous-Alexander can perform under pressure, especially against a formidable opponent like Denver.