This Game 4 was about as big as it gets in NBA post season play, and in this one it was about as ugly as any playoff game I can remember. But in the fourth quarter coming down the stretch it was in my view OKC’s bench led by the threesome of Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and Aaron Wiggins who nudged the Thunder over their previous clutch-game mishaps and put the Thunder in possession of home court heading into Game 5 back in Oklahoma City.
Alex Caruso was my No. 1 Star, Cason Wallace was my No. 2 Star, and Aaron Wiggins was my No. 3 Star. Shai was much better this game and was what I call functionally efficient, but he/’s the regular season MVP this season and he should be this way every game. No star for Shai from Mike J. MJ is a perfectionist with his Three Stars.
Caruso, Wallace, and Wiggins scored a collective 35 points while Russell Westbrook and Peyton Watson could only manage 8 points for this very thin Nugget bench.
As I witnessed this 48 minute pit bull fight–it seemed to me Caruso more than any other player on the floor wanted it more…and you know what…his teammates followed his mentally tough lead.
The only player on the Nuggets who appeared to have much left in the tank this afternoon was Christian Braun. Michael Porter Jr, for the third time in this series was missing in action. MPJ did nothing of any consequence in this game for the Nuggets. Aaron Gordon was a bulldog, but he was limited to 15 points. When Aaron has scored 20 or more in these 2025 Playoffs the Nuggets have won every game..
Denver certainly had their chances in the fourter quarter, but missed four clutch free throws down the stretch and just basically got mentally out-toughed by the youngest team in the league.
Caruso has now been my MVP in Game 2 and Game 4. He brings something this team was sorely missing..a combination of energy, confidence, hubris, intelligent physicality, and some gravitas.
My son just called me after the game from Denver and told me just after the game a dark Thunder storm came out of nowhere at the conclusion of the game as the skies darkened.
That might be some NBA gods stuff right there. That and Alex Caruso on the same day were too much for the leg weary Nuggets in Game 4.
Game 5 in OKC on Tuesday night.
Mike J