Russell Westbrook scores 29 points, the Nuggets hand the OKC Thunder their first loss of the season

It was supposed to be their first scheduled loss of the season, but the Nuggets refused to accept that label.

Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon were sidelined due to injuries. Against an undefeated opponent. An undefeated opponent who had already beaten Denver on opening night at Ball Arena two weeks earlier. Somehow, however, the undermanned Nuggets managed to rally from a deficit of 16 in the second half to hand Oklahoma City its first loss of the season, 124-122.

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Michael Porter Jr. survived 1-for-6 from the field in the first half and scored 22 of his 24 points after halftime. Nikola Jokic, who is averaging a triple-double, had 23 points, 20 rebounds and 16 assists. Russell Westbrook sparked the comeback by roaring at the crowd in the middle of his 29-point effort on 10 of 15. Braun delivered 24 points and excellent defense against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

And for the fourth time, the Nuggets (5-3) won a game that came down to the final possession of regulation time when Peyton Watson blocked Gilgeous-Alexander's game-winning layup attempt as time expired. SGA finished the game with 28 points but eight turnovers.

“We've talked to the people at Altitude TV, and we just want to try to keep the fans in their seats, keep the attendance up and kind of come back in the fourth quarter,” Michael Malone said before the game when asked about Denver's tendency to Falling behind at the start of this season's games. “And let everyone go home with a smile on their face. We are entertainers after all.”

“We’re trying to get better in late game situations; That’s why we intentionally avoided free throws at the end,” said Braun. “And just stay close. This is how we can improve these situations.”

He went on to take his tongue from his cheek and say that Oklahoma City is a team that Denver can't fall behind against.

Then, for the fifth time in their first eight games, the Nuggets erased a deficit of 14 or more points and at least led in the fourth quarter. The worst this time was 81-65 with 7:31 left in the third period, shortly after Malone picked up a live-ball technical foul for confronting an official about a no-call. His team erased the deficit in less than four minutes, a 22-6 run that began with consecutive 3-pointers from Westbrook and Braun and ended with consecutive 3-pointers from Julian Strawther and Porter. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault called three timeouts during the quarter.

The comeback was fueled by a string of 15 consecutive points either scored or assisted by Westbrook.

“I think defensively he was a rock star,” Malone said. “And what I love about Russell Westbrook: He's been a vet for 17 years, leopards don't change places, but he tries so hard to be disciplined. He tries to do the things we ask of him and I really appreciate that. Because at 17 you are often who you are. But he cares, man. He's so invested in this team and what he brings to this team and he's so hard on himself. I can coach a guy like Russell Westbrook any day.”

The Nuggets threw Oklahoma City out of rhythm as the game wore on, attempting a zone defense, occasionally rushing screens and, most importantly, sprinting after missed shots and desperately trying to evade the Thunder's half-court defense. They also continued a refreshing trend early in the season by making 33 attempts at the free throw line, led by nine attempts for Westbrook – although Watson ended up missing a crucial pair to give Oklahoma City a chance. These foul throws were set up by a reckless pass from Jokic over several defenders.

“Not at all,” Malone said, feigning composure when asked if Jokic’s spontaneous decisions would ever weigh on him.