How OKC’s Defense Is Dominating the Playoffs
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In Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t just win, they made a statement. Their defense suffocated the defending champion Denver Nuggets, raising serious questions about Nikola Jokic’s stamina, Denver’s depth, and whether OKC’s youth and system have created the most dangerous weapon in the playoffs. On Episode 30 of Harrison Talks Pod, I dive into how OKC dismantled Denver, how their depth and defensive versatility continue to shine, and what this all means for the rest of the postseason.
OKC’s Defense Might Be the Best Thing in the Playoffs
Let’s start with the numbers. Denver shot just 36.8% from the field and a dismal 23.5% from beyond the arc. Oklahoma City posted a defensive rating of 92.1, one of the best single-game marks in the entire 2024 playoffs. The effort wasn’t anchored by a single star, but by collective discipline, intensity, and rotation-based defense.
Lu Dort only played 19 minutes and was a -6, but the defensive pressure didn’t drop. Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso were each +12 and routinely disrupted Denver’s offensive flow. With a team-first scheme and elite point-of-attack defenders, OKC has built a flexible, series-proof defense.
Stack their system up against any other contender: Boston’s offense, Minnesota’s rim protection, New York’s rebounding. OKC’s defense may be the most consistent and reliable advantage left in the playoffs.
Game 4 Was a War of Attrition—and OKC Endured
This wasn’t just a game of tactics, it was a physical test. Nikola Jokic played 39 minutes and looked fatigued. He attempted only two free throws, a sign that OKC’s physicality was disrupting his usual rhythm and drawing fewer whistles.
Even Chet Holmgren showed signs of wear. After grabbing 13 boards in Game 3, he managed only 4 in Game 4 and admitted the short turnaround felt like playing on back-to-back nights. Still, the Thunder found energy elsewhere.
The bench delivered. Andrew Wiggins (+14), Wallace (+12), and Caruso (+12) all made timely, game-swinging contributions. That depth and energy edge could be pivotal in a long series—especially against a veteran team like Denver.
A key question moving forward: Does OKC’s youth offer an advantage in recovery and energy, or will playoff inexperience show as the stakes rise?
Caruso’s Hustle Flipped the Game
Alex Caruso didn’t just defend, he changed momentum. In the fourth quarter, he stripped Jamal Murray, knocked down a key three, and secured a crucial offensive rebound that helped seal the game. His impact went beyond the box score, but the numbers back it up: a true shooting percentage of 60.1% and an offensive rating of 119, both the best among OKC’s rotation players.
Defensively, Denver scored just 99 points per 100 possessions with Caruso on the floor. In a series where every possession matters, Caruso may be OKC’s most impactful role player, and possibly the most valuable defensive guard in the postseason.
Denver’s Role Players Are Vanishing at the Worst Time
The Nuggets’ supporting cast is in crisis. Michael Porter Jr. has completely disappeared in their three losses, shooting just 4-for-25 overall and 2-for-16 from three-point range. In Game 4, he was 1-of-7 from the field, 0-for-5 from three, and finished with just 3 points and a -15 net rating.
While Aaron Gordon has stepped up, averaging 18.25 points and 10.25 rebounds on 57% shooting, the bench has been a disaster. Only six players logged more than 15 minutes, and guys like Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, and Russell Westbrook were virtually non-factors.
Westbrook, in particular, had a rough outing: 0-for-4 shooting, two turnovers, and no rhythm in 10 minutes. The burden on Jokic and Murray is growing, and it showed. Jokic was -17, Murray -13, clear signs of fatigue and frustration.
It begs the question: Does Mike Malone have any counters left?
OKC's Crunch-Time Clarity: Trust in Youth Over Reputation
In a bold coaching decision, Mark Daigneault chose to close Game 4 without Lu Dort on the floor, opting instead for Wallace and Caruso and it worked.
Wallace finished with the best BPM (Box Plus-Minus) of the game at +12.8. He shot a perfect 3-for-3 from deep and played smart, physical defense throughout. The Thunder’s closing lineup—SGA, Jalen Williams, Wallace, Caruso, and either Holmgren or Hartenstein, looked like a complete two-way unit.
That leads to a growing debate: Should Dort, despite his reputation as an elite defender, come off the bench if his offense (2-of-10 FG, 64 offensive rating) continues to drag down the team in crunch time?
Jokic Met the Wall—And It Was a Tandem
Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein didn’t stop Jokic with stats, they stopped him with teamwork. They alternated matchups, brought doubles, and forced Denver into late-clock decisions. Jokic posted a usage rate of just 23.4%, drew only six free throws, and committed four turnovers. His offensive rating of 101 was among his lowest of the playoffs.
OKC shaded help off Denver’s weak shooters and rotated precisely, forcing Jokic to either give up the ball or take difficult looks. This might be the most effective Jokic scheme since the Lakers’ strategy in 2023, and it’s being executed by two centers under 25.
The Thunder’s Deep Rotation Keeps Delivering
Unlike many playoff teams that tighten their rotations, OKC continues to trust its full bench. Ten players saw meaningful minutes in Game 4. Outside of Isaiah Joe, who struggled (-13.8 BPM), nearly everyone made a positive impact.
Wallace, Wiggins, and Caruso each posted double-digit BPMs. Daigneault’s refusal to shrink the rotation is paying off, it’s keeping OKC fresh, unpredictable, and adaptable to matchups. Few teams can say the same at this stage in the playoffs.
Bonus Talking Points from the Pod
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Stat Nugget: OKC’s average margin of victory in wins this series is +27.5. Denver’s lone win came by just 6.5 points. This isn’t parity, this is dominance.
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Finals Forecast: If the Thunder close out this series, are they legitimate Finals contenders, or still a year ahead of schedule?
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The Dort Dilemma: Can a team bench its DPOY-caliber defender if the offense clearly functions better without him late?
Final Thoughts
Game 4 wasn’t just a win for the Thunder, it was a blueprint for postseason success built on system, depth, and suffocating defense. As we break it all down in Episode 30 of Harrison Talks Pod, it’s clear OKC is no longer just an exciting young team—they’re a serious threat.
Denver, meanwhile, looks increasingly short on answers. The defending champs are now being forced to reckon with a deeper, faster, and smarter opponent. And the Thunder? They just might be writing the next chapter of NBA playoff evolution.
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