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.”

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

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.