OKC Thunder: Five takeaways from loss to the Nuggets

The Thunder squandered a seven-point lead with four minutes left in regulation and fell to the Nuggets 121-113 in overtime Monday afternoon. 

Here are five takeaways from the game: 

Free throw woes 

In a game where the whistles were blown early and often, the Thunder couldn't convert its foul shots with the game on the line. 

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Andre Roberson fouled Monte Morris with six seconds left, and Morris made both of his free throws and put the Nuggets ahead by two points. 

Chris Paul drew a foul on OKC's final possession. He went to the line with a chance to put his team ahead with 2.9 seconds left. Paul missed the first free throw, made the second and the game went to overtime. 

The Thunder wasn't competitive in overtime, and couldn't overcome three missed free throws in the final two minutes of regulation. 

Rookie showcase 

Michael Porter Jr. rose into his shot, and no matter how close Luguentz Dort was, Porter held a seven-inch height advantage. 

The 6-foot-10 Nuggets rookie scored 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the first half against the Thunder. He added nine rebounds. 

Porter stayed hot in the second half and finished with a career-high 37 points on 12-of-16 shooting. 

Porter sat out last season with a back injury. He’s only averaging 14 minutes per game, but Porter gives the Nuggets offense a new dimension. 

Playing under pressure

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander entered early in the fourth quarter with five fouls to his name. 

Gilgeous-Alexander was 1-of-6 from the floor and struggling as much as he had in any game this season. 

The second-year guard was back in star form by the fourth quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 14 points in the final frame, but like Paul, he missed a crucial free throw. 

Boost off the bench

The Thunder will need a spark off its bench with Dennis Schroder away from the team for the birth of his second child. 

Abdel Nader provided a big boost Monday afternoon. 

After only playing mopup minutes Saturday, Nader scored 13 points in 13 minutes against the Nuggets. He shot 5-of-6 from the floor and 3-of-4 from three. 

Injury update

Thunder center Mike Muscala drew an offensive foul against Nuggets guard P.J. Dozier late in the first quarter. Muscala hit his face on the court as he fell, and it appeared he sustained a cut above his eye. 

Muscala did not return with what the Thunder listed as “concussion symptoms.” 

The Thunder was already without Schroder and Terrance Ferguson on Monday. 

Ferguson was out with a leg contusion. 

The Nuggets were in worse shape. Denver was without three starters: Jamal Murray (left hamstring), Gary Harris (right hip) and Will Barton (left knee).