Russell Westbrook was the best thing about an electrifying Game 7. His leadership helped the Denver Nuggets sweep their opponents in the playoffs. Westbrook scored 10 of his 16 points during a critical second quarter, helping to solidify the Nuggets’ place in the next round of the playoffs. His performance was particularly notable for his two crucial 3-pointers, which contributed significantly to the team’s momentum.
Having played on Saturday, this was a decisive game for the Nuggets’ playoff run. With this win, they moved on in the series, marking the adaptations that the team made after playing poorly in their prior outing. Now on the surface it doesn’t sound too bad, considering Westbrook is shooting 42% from deep in this playoff series. That’s his best game in any postseason and underscores just how important he was to the game.
In only 27 minutes of action, Westbrook lit up the scoreboard and displayed the diverse skillset of a budding star. He rounded out his box with five assists, five rebounds, and five steals. He proved this by regularly changing the game in a myriad of ways. On his 3-point shot attempts, he averaged an unbelievable 9.1 feet of separation from the nearest defender during the series.
Westbrook was magnanimous after the game in discussing his former team’s strategy to stop him. He expressed confidence in his shooting ability, stating, “If they continue doing it, I’m going to make ’em pay.” This declaration highlighted his determination to capitalize on any defensive lapses from his opponents.
“Damn, that’s solid,” – Russell Westbrook
Whatever the reason, Westbrook’s attitude toward his night shooting the ball was refreshingly honest. He had come to the realization that throughout the series he had not been focused on his field goal percentage. He, in fact, was delighted with those results. His confidence was apparent in his claim that he is always ready for any scenario he sees when playing on the court.
It’s hard to overstate how happy and improvement-oriented the Nuggets’ recent changes made team executive members and players, alike. The executive remarked, “If we don’t make the changes, there’s no way we’re even in a Game 7,” indicating a strategic shift that was essential for their success. Nikola Jokic noted that the ownership’s desire for change contributed to the team’s revitalized energy and performance.
“I think the owner … wanted to change something, to change the energy, and probably he did,” – Nikola Jokic
Jokic further praised Westbrook’s impact on the game and remarked, “He got the result he was looking for,” reinforcing the importance of Westbrook’s contributions during this crucial match.
Christian Braun reflected on last year’s learned lessons and his hoping to make an impact for the better this time around. He underlined the wisdom and importance of being on the cusp of this winning moment. It hit all of his sweet spots.
“Obviously, they were a better team that night. But I just felt like there was opportunity left on the table, and I felt like I wanted to be a part of it… [Saturday’s performance] was exactly what I wanted, and those guys trusted me,” – Christian Braun
David Adelman, prominent member of the coaching staff, highlighted the competitive mindset that got the Nuggets past this playoff series. His observations help explain why they’ve succeeded. He said even as they respect their opponent for their strength, winning required enough belief in themselves that they could overcome them.
“There’s a lot of humble confidence in there… We’ve done this, we’ve seen this, we’ve been through this before and we’ve succeeded,” – David Adelman
The Nuggets, led by reigning NBA champion Nikola Jokic, can’t wait for their next playoff challenge. They crash through it like a new tide of optimism and can-do spirit. The team’s ability to adapt and respond to pressure has become evident through their recent performances, particularly highlighted by Westbrook’s standout contributions.
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