Thunder and Nuggets combine for fewest points in first quarter in NBA Playoff game

The National Basketball Association Playoffs continued on Sunday with the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The Thunder were victorious 92-87 to tie the best out of seven series at two games apiece, but the biggest storyline in the game was the complete lack of scoring that took place in the first quarter.

There were only 25 points scored in the quarter, with the Thunder outscoring the Nuggets 17-8. According to the Associated Press, that was tied for the fewest number of points both teams scored in the first quarter of a NBA playoff game since the shot clock was instituted in 1954.

There were also only 25 points scored in the first quarter on May 20, 1999 in a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz. The Trail Blazers outscored the Jazz 14-11 en route to an 84-81 win. Then, there were only 25 points scored in the first quarter on April 21, 2002 in a game between the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons. The Pistons outscored the Raptors 16-9 en route to an 85-63 win.

The eight points the Nuggets scored were the fewest points Denver has ever scored in a postseason quarter. Boston has the playoff record with seven in an 89-72 Celtics loss to the Atlanta Hawks on April 19, 2016.

How bad was Denver’s shooting? The Nuggets only made two of 22 field goal attempts. It was a disastrous five minutes and 34 seconds for backup point guard Russell Westbrook, as he missed all six field goal attempts. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, meanwhile, missed all three of his shot attempts.

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