Context:

The Denver Nuggets suffered a significant defeat in Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, losing 140-106 after being outplayed in almost every aspect. Coach David Adelman acknowledged that his team was overwhelmed by the Thunder's intensity, while Nikola Jokic was critical of their performance, noting the lack of aggression and numerous turnovers. The Thunder set an NBA playoff record by scoring 87 points in the first half, dominating categories such as shooting percentages, assists, rebounds, and turnovers. Despite Jokic's efforts, with 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, the Nuggets struggled with key players like Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. underperforming. Looking ahead, the Nuggets have the opportunity to recover as they return to Denver for Games 3 and 4, hoping to bounce back from the defeat.

Dive Deeper:

• The Denver Nuggets entered the game with a 1-0 series lead but were thoroughly outmatched by the Oklahoma City Thunder, resulting in a 140-106 loss.

• Nuggets' coach David Adelman acknowledged the team's lack of intensity and vowed to improve, while Nikola Jokic bluntly assessed their poor performance and numerous mistakes.

• The Thunder set an NBA playoff record by scoring 87 points in the first half, showcasing superiority in shooting percentages, assists, rebounds, blocks, steals, and turnovers.

• Nikola Jokic contributed 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, but also had six turnovers, while Russell Westbrook led Denver with 19 points off the bench.

• Key Denver players, including Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Christian Braun, struggled offensively, shooting poorly and being caught off guard by the Thunder's early dominance.

• Despite the defeat, the Nuggets have a chance to regroup as the series shifts to Denver for Games 3 and 4, where they hope to capitalize on home-court advantage.

• The performance highlighted the Thunder's aggressive gameplay and the Nuggets' need to match their intensity to stay competitive in the series.

• The Denver Nuggets entered Wednesday with a 1-0 series lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. But, despite the momentum riding high following Aaron Gordon's game-winner on Monday, the Thunder outplayed the Nuggets in every aspect. 

• The Thunder got the 140-106 win, and Nuggets coach David Adelman said his team "got punked" by OKC. 

• “We got punked. They came out with the right intensity and we didn’t…we aren’t just going to flush this.” Adelman said. "We have to be better and we know that.”

• Moreover, Nikola Jokic was blunt as could be about his team's performance, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. 

• “Basically it was one team playing tonight. Even the turnovers, misses. They were aggressive, they were going by us. They were much much better than us today and that's why the score is so bad.”

• The Nuggets scored 56 points in the first half, which isn't bad, although the Thunder scored an NBA playoff record 87 first-half points. 

• The Thunder basically won every category: Field goal, 3-point and free-throw percentage, assists, rebounds, blocks, steals and turnovers. 

• The Nuggets had 20 turnovers in the game, although they did out-rebound them on the offensive glass, 13-8, but that could be due to the Thunder shooting lights-out from the field all game long. 

• Jokic had 17 points on 6-of-16 from the field with eight rebounds and six assists as well as six turnovers. However, Russell Westbrook led Denver with 19 points off the bench. 

• Aaron Gordon shot 3-of-12, Michael Porter Jr. went 2-of-10 from the field, and Christian Braun went just 1-of-6 as the entire Denver team was caught off guard by the Thunder's surprising outburst early on. 

• The good news is this: The Nuggets now go to Denver for Games 3 and 4 of the series, so there is a solid chance to rebound from a disastrous Game 2 outing. 

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