You can’t afford to drop the ball—literally or figuratively—in a two-possession playoff game with under four minutes to go. But that’s exactly what the Denver Nuggets did in Game 4 against the Thunder. In a stunning lapse, Nikola Jokic and company committed a 5-second violation on a broken inbounds play that looked more disorganized than the Thunder’s second unit.

And make no mistake — it wasn’t just a mistake. It was the moment. A game-swinger. Possibly a season-turner.

Interim coach David Adelman didn’t dance around it. He owned up to the play call but made it clear Michael Porter Jr. was supposed to flash for the ball and didn’t.

“We knew Caruso was going to pick up… I don’t know if Mike wasn’t attentive to the play. He was the next man that was supposed to flash… That’s inexcusable… That’s an execution mistake, and that’s on me.”

Even Nikola Jokic, who normally keeps it even-keeled, didn’t try to minimize the gravity. “That was a big, big play… It’s literally everybody. That cannot happen.”

But context matters: Michael Porter Jr. is playing through a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, which has been his main issue in this series, along with a lingering foot concern. He’s been receiving daily treatment and even pain-killing injections just to stay on the court. That doesn’t excuse zoning out — but it explains the slow reaction.

Denver collapsed beyond that one play — they gave up an 11-point swing in the fourth, shot just 31.3% overall, and bricked, going 10-of-25 in the paint. Nikola Jokic finished with 27 and 13, but on a rough 7-of-22 shooting night with 4 turnovers. Aaron Gordon was one of the few bright spots, delivering a double-double and 4 blocks. But the fourth quarter told the full story — Denver had no legs, no rhythm, and no poise. Even Adelman admitted, “I felt we got a bit worn down in the fourth.”

With the series tied 2-2, that violation might come back to haunt them. Because when it’s 2-2, Game 5 winners go on to win the series over 80% of the time.

Same Play, Different Lens: OKC’s Defense Deserves the Credit

Let’s flip the camera. That disaster from Denver? It didn’t happen in a vacuum. The Thunder earned it.

Oklahoma City’s defense was especially suffocating in Game 4, limiting Denver to just 87 points on 31% shooting from the field. The Nuggets were held to only 8 points in the first quarter, their lowest in a playoff quarter in franchise history. Alex Caruso was draped over Nikola Jokic like a lead apron. He anticipated the cut. He pressed the entry. And OKC’s swarming, switch-heavy defense left no daylight.

This isn’t an isolated highlight — this is their identity. On short rest, the Thunder have a staggering defensive differential, and it showed. They didn’t just force a turnover — they forced Denver into a mental breakdown.

Their performance was gritty, ugly, and exactly what playoff basketball requires. Neither team shot well (Denver at 31%, OKC not much better), and the first quarter looked like a time-travel trip to 1998. But winning ugly counts, especially for young teams trying to prove they belong.

This Game 4 win wasn’t flashy. But it was clutch. It showed resilience. And it showed why OKC is a legitimate threat.

Now with momentum on their side, they head back home for a massive Game 5 — and suddenly, Denver looks like the team asking questions. The Nuggets can’t afford another busted set, missed signal, or moment of brain fog. Because the Thunder? They’re ready to capitalize on every crack.