Thunder Rally Past Nuggets in Thrilling Finish

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's last-second 3-pointer lifts OKC to victory

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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In a back-and-forth battle, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 129-126 on Monday night at Paycom Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a clutch 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds remaining to give the Thunder the win. Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 35 points and 15 assists, while Jaylin Williams scored a career-high 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Why it matters

This victory extends the Thunder's lead atop the Western Conference standings and showcases the team's resilience and ability to win close games down the stretch. The performance of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams also highlights the depth and talent on the OKC roster.

The details

The game was tight throughout, with the Nuggets holding a double-digit lead at one point. However, the Thunder rallied behind the play of Ajay Mitchell, who scored 24 points in his return from injury. Gilgeous-Alexander took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of his 35 points to lead the comeback. Williams was also instrumental, knocking down a career-high seven 3-pointers to keep the Thunder in the game.

  • The game was played on Monday, March 9, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
  • Gilgeous-Alexander hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds remaining on the clock.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder's star guard, who scored 35 points and dished out 15 assists, including the game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds.

Jaylin Williams

The Thunder forward had a career night, scoring 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds while hitting seven 3-pointers.

Ajay Mitchell

The Thunder's breakout guard returned from injury and provided an immediate spark off the bench, scoring 24 points in 29 minutes.

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' star center, who had a strong performance but was unable to lead his team to victory.

Chet Holmgren

The Thunder forward, who missed the game due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“Shai was incredible tonight, hitting that big shot to win it for us. But the whole team stepped up, especially Jaylin and Ajay. This was a total team effort.”

— Mark Daigneault, Thunder Head Coach (Thunder PR)

“I just tried to stay aggressive and make plays for my teammates. It was a tough battle, but we found a way to get it done in the end.”

— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder PR)

What’s next

The Thunder will look to build on this victory as they continue their push for the top seed in the Western Conference. Their next game is scheduled for Thursday, March 12th against the Phoenix Suns.

The takeaway

The Thunder's resilience and clutch play in this game showcases the team's potential to make a deep playoff run. With Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way and contributions from role players like Williams and Mitchell, OKC has the talent and depth to compete with any team in the NBA.