Game 5 was set to be a decisive contest in the second-round series between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder, with the winner taking the 3-2 series l

Still, for all his immaturity, Westbrook has been a net-positive for the Nuggets, who managed to survive a seven-game slugfest against the Clippers, and are trailing, 3-2, in their Western Conference semifinal series against Westbrook's original team, the Thunder.

After leading the series 2-1, the Denver Nuggets are now on the brink of elimination against the Oklahoma Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals. Following their Game 5 loss Tuesday, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon began his postgame discussion not by commenting on the game’s outcome but rather on the contents of a recent ESPN article.

On Friday night, the Denver Nuggets played the Oklahoma City Thunder (at home) for Game 3 of their second-round playoff series. The Nuggets won by a score of 1

NBA MVP and 9-time All-Star Russell Westbrook has become the heart of the Denver Nuggets' bench rotation since joining the franchise in the summer of 2024 via free agency. Unfortunately, Denver's recent 112-105 defeat in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday handed the team a deflating 3-2 deficit in the series and pushing the group to the brink of postseason elimination.

VIDEO: Russell Westbrook passionately coaches Nuggets during a timeout, showing energy as Denver grabs the series lead.

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook has put together a strong 2025 NBA postseason. Despite struggling in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the free-throw line, Westbrook's entrance usurped the MVP chants into a standing ovation. Since being traded in 2019, OKC crowds have always given the former MVP winner an ovation. But doing it in the playoffs rubbed some folks the wrong way.