Shai Gilgeous-Alexander credits the battles with the Nuggets for the improvement against the zone

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Denver Nuggets were pushing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in their Western Conference semifinal series last year. The Nuggets had a zone defense at half court. The Thunder saw the Sacramento Kings take the same approach in Wednesday’s matchup before Oklahoma City found its offensive rhythm, led by Lou Dort’s barrage of threes in the fourth quarter.

After a 113-99 win against the Kings, Gilgeous-Alexander revealed that the Thunder’s series against the Nuggets last year led to a focus on fighting through a zone defense and stay consistent.

“We saw a lot of zone, especially in the Denver series,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “So naturally, just seeing that much, in a team that late in the season, using it as a weapon against us, it kind of made us grow in that area. We’ve definitely made strides and we’re a better team because of it. But it’s definitely something we’re focusing on and trying to improve on a daily basis.”

The Thunder headed into the second quarter before taking an eight-point lead into halftime. Oklahoma City held the opposition to 19 points in the third quarter. And in a game where the Thunder went 6-of-29 from behind the 3-point arc, he finished 4-for-9 from deep in the final frame.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 33 points led five Thunder players in double figures, including Chet Holmgren (21 points), Ajay Mitchell (13 points) and Dort (14 points), who made four 3-pointers in the 15-1 team’s second straight win.

Lou Dort shares powerful insight into Thunder’s confidence

A veteran Lou Dort talked about the Thunder’s unwavering confidence after Wednesday’s win over the Kings, explaining how he felt about the entire roster. For Dort, a 15-1 start to the regular season is a testament to that confidence, which has been tested through the first 16 games of the 2025-26 season, with just one loss amid a near-perfect start.

“We’re really comfortable and confident. I feel like that’s coming from a lot of guys, and that’s big,” Dort said. “Whenever you go to a game and you know that the whole team is confident and fearless – that’s big. And every time, in the locker room, before the game, you see it in everyone’s eyes.”

The Thunder will go 16-1 when they face the Jazz on Friday.