DENVER — Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman commended his players for their collective defense on Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Friday. After Nikola Jokic's supporting cast led the Nuggets to a Game 3 victory in their second-round NBA Playoffs series against the Thunder, Adelman highlighted Denver's approach to limiting Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Thunder's MVP candidate finished with 18 points on 7-of-22 attempts, which for Adelman, is a testament to the Nuggets' relentless defense, per Mile High Sports' Ryan Blackburn.

“He had a tough night. I also thought we did a good job of showing different looks late in his dribble moves. I thought this was our best game of the three of taking the impact of his forearm. He creates a lot of space that way. There were a couple of times late in the game, and I thought CB [Christian Braun] took it the right way and got a good contest.”

Adelman says his players' second contest on Gilgeous-Alexander made the difference in Game 3.

“When those guys get into their moves and get late into that early paint, sometimes you got to take a chance and break it off on your own guy and get a secondary contest,” Adelman added. “Because if you don't, it's just one-on-one all the time. I thought our optionality of what we did with him was good.”

Amid Nuggets star Nikola Jokic's shooting struggles in Game 3, Adelman was pleased with Denver's defense on the other MVP candidate.

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David Adelman on Nuggets' defense on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the first quarter during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Despite his team's suffocating defense on Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 3, Adelman is anticipating a signature performance from SGA in Game 4.

“With that all being said, we all know what that guy is, and he'll be great in Game 4. I know. He's an amazing player,” Adelman said. “But I just liked our overall effort. I thought our physicality of taking those hits was much better than Game 2.”

The Nuggets will look to grab a 3-1 lead in Game 4 on Sunday.