Nikola Jokić No Longer Alone: Julian Strawther and the Nuggets’ Young Stars Explode, Smash OKC in Thrilling Game 6!

The Denver Nuggets are marching forward in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, but their journey hasn’t been smooth — especially when it comes to protecting leads and managing minutes for their star player, Nikola Jokić. In Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a rarely used reserve, Julian Strawther, emerged as the unexpected hero who helped shift the momentum and gave head coach David Adelman the freedom to do something virtually unheard of in this postseason: sit Jokić to start the fourth quarter.

What followed was a masterclass in trust, risk, and resilience — a sequence that might just become one of the defining moments of Denver’s playoff run.

Nikola Jokic Sits: A Rare Coaching Gamble

When the fourth quarter of Game 6 began, Nikola Jokić — widely considered the best basketball player on the planet — was on the bench. That decision was not a reflection of Jokić’s play; far from it. It was the result of a brief but explosive performance from Julian Strawther, who scored eight points in just 97 seconds to end the third quarter, breaking a tense 80-80 tie and giving the Nuggets an unexpected cushion.

Head coach David Adelman, serving as acting coach with Michael Malone out for health reasons, decided to ride that momentum — opting to keep Jokic on the bench instead of bringing him back immediately at the start of the final quarter.

It was a calculated risk. After all, Jokić had played the entire fourth quarter in Game 4 against the Clippers and again in Game 5 against the Thunder — both do-or-die situations. The Nuggets won one and lost one, but the message was clear: when Denver needs a win, Jokić usually stays in.

Julian Strawther’s Unexpected Explosion

Coming into Game 6, Julian Strawther was barely on the scouting report. The rookie had logged limited minutes throughout the postseason, and expectations were modest at best. But when Denver desperately needed an offensive spark in the third quarter, Strawther caught fire.

He scored eight points in the final 1:37 of the third quarter, including a pivotal three-pointer that jolted the Nuggets’ offense. With the game knotted at 80, Strawther’s scoring surge pushed Denver into the fourth quarter with a lead and belief. He finished with 15 points — all in the second half — in what was easily the best performance of his young career.

The bench — long criticized for being too thin and inconsistent — had finally delivered.

Peyton Watson’s Game-Changing Sequence

While Strawther ignited the scoreboard, Peyton Watson delivered one of the biggest defensive plays of the game — and maybe the series.

After the Nuggets had extended their lead to 11 early in the fourth quarter, the Thunder mounted a quick run, cutting the deficit to seven and launching a fast-break opportunity that could’ve sliced it to five. Thunder wing Jalen Williams raced toward the rim with only open court in front of him.

Then, out of nowhere, Peyton Watson flew in with a ferocious block, swatting the dunk attempt into the boards and preserving Denver’s momentum. On the next possession, Watson hauled in a crucial offensive rebound off a missed Russell Westbrook three, setting up Strawther for free throws and ultimately helping get Jokić back into the game with 8:29 remaining.

These were hustle plays — the kind of efforts that don’t always make headlines, but win playoff games.

Bench Steps Up in Crucial Game 6 Moment

For most of Nikola Jokić’s career, the Nuggets have struggled mightily when he’s off the court. The bench unit, often a mix of unproven youngsters and journeymen, has traditionally been outscored, leading to the team squandering leads or digging holes that Jokić has to climb out of.

That’s why Adelman’s decision to trust his bench in such a high-stakes moment was so bold — and why it might go down as a turning point in the series.

With Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon on the bench, it was Strawther, Watson, and even Westbrook who kept the engine running just long enough. By the time Jokić checked back in, the Nuggets were still ahead — mission accomplished.

How the Nuggets’ Depth Can Shift the Series

As the Nuggets eye a deep postseason run, their championship aspirations hinge on more than just their stars. While Jokić continues to operate at an MVP level and Jamal Murray has provided clutch shot-making, the role players must consistently deliver.

Julian Strawther’s breakout performance is a massive boost, not only in Game 6 but in proving that Denver’s bench can shoulder pressure moments. Combine that with Peyton Watson’s two-way hustle, and there’s suddenly a glimmer of hope that Denver isn’t a three-man team.

As NBA analyst Zach Lowe pointed out postgame:

“If Denver gets even average production from the bench, they’re nearly unbeatable. What Strawther did was give them a glimpse of what that looks like.”

David Adelman’s Growing Reputation

Though acting as interim head coach in Malone’s absence, David Adelman made a name for himself with the decision to trust the reserves. In a league where coaches often default to riding their stars into the ground, Adelman’s approach was measured, strategic, and gutsy.

His ability to identify matchups, keep Strawther on the floor during his hot streak, and time Jokić’s return perfectly was a subtle masterstroke. It also offers hope that, should Malone’s absence continue, the Nuggets’ coaching staff remains in capable hands.

Thunder Struggled to Capitalize on Opportunity

Credit must go to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have fought admirably throughout the series. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, OKC showed flashes of brilliance in Game 6. But they failed to capitalize when Jokić was off the floor, and that may haunt them.

Williams’ blocked dunk, missed transition opportunities, and defensive lapses during Strawther’s scoring run all contributed to the narrow defeat. In a game where every possession mattered, OKC blinked when Denver took its biggest gamble.

Final Thoughts: A Series Shaped by the Unexpected

Game 6 was supposed to be about superstars — Jokić vs Gilgeous-Alexander, Murray vs Williams. Instead, it was the Julian Strawther game — a reminder that in the NBA Playoffs, heroes can come from anywhere.

Denver’s narrow victory didn’t just force a Game 7 (or win the series, depending on context); it reshaped the narrative around their bench and gave them a blueprint for future success.

If Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson can replicate even a fraction of this performance moving forward, the Nuggets may finally have the depth to go all the way.