Nobody could shoot on Thursday night in Oklahoma City. Both teams made 38 percent of their shots, and the Thunder went 11 of 43 from three. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 96-84 anyway because the Denver Nuggets could not hold onto the ball: 22 turnovers against the Thunder's 12, and 21 Oklahoma City points off them, per ESPN's box score.

Oklahoma City is 2-0. Denver dropped its opener to 0-1 at Paycom Center, where 18,203 watched.

Chet Holmgren Owned the Paint

Chet Holmgren was the reason the misses did not matter. He had 12 points, 17 rebounds (nine on the offensive glass) and four blocks in 28 minutes, and the Thunder were plus-12 with him on the floor. Oklahoma City blocked nine shots as a team and outscored Denver 46-36 in the paint.

The hands came off the bench. Ajay Mitchell had five steals and 12 points in 23 minutes, and Cason Wallace added four steals. The Thunder finished with 12 steals.

A Rough Night for Jokic

Nikola Jokic went 5 of 19 from the floor for 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Denver was outscored by 20 with him on the court. Jamal Murray had six points on 2-of-11 shooting with 10 rebounds and six turnovers. Aaron Gordon was the exception, 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and Trevon Brazile pulled down 12 rebounds off the bench.

Denver led 48-44 at halftime. The Thunder won the third quarter 26-16 to take a 70-64 lead into the fourth. Jalen Williams led Oklahoma City with 21 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 17 on 6-of-19 shooting while finishing plus-21.

Denver hosts New Orleans on Saturday. Oklahoma City hosts the Clippers on Sunday. Stats from the ESPN box score.