NBA Fans Were Stunned by Historically Bad Shooting in First Quarter of Nuggets-Thunder

Karl Rasmussen | May 11, 2025

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander controls the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon guards. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

NBA fans were treated to an absolutely horrendous first quarter in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

Shooting was in short supply in the opening quarter, particularly when it came to shots from beyond the arc. The teams combined to shoot a heinous 1 for 25 from three in the first quarter, with Denver missing all 14 of their three-point attempts and Oklahoma City making just 1 of 11.

The only player to make a three was Lu Dort, though it took him all of five attempts. At the end of the first quarter, the score was 17–8 in favor of the Thunder. The Nuggets' eight points were tied for the second fewest in a single quarter in NBA playoff history, as the team made just two field goals throughout the first 12 minutes of play. The 25 combined points were also tied for the fewest in a playoff quarter in league history. Additionally, the Nuggets tied the record for the most attempted threes without a single make in a single quarter.

Naturally, fans weren't too happy with the putrid shooting performances in the first quarter, and they took to social media to share their thoughts on the sloppy play from both teams.

TOUGH 1st quarter for the Thunder and Nuggets 😳 pic.twitter.com/WyZzvckZrC

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 11, 2025

First quarter over in Denver and the Nuggets have EIGHT points. Yes, 8. Denver missed 20 of 22 field goal attempts and missed two free throws. The Nuggets also have five TOs. Good news for Denver is OKC only has 17 points.

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) May 11, 2025

thunder and nuggets rn pic.twitter.com/9FgXcR5SVT

— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) May 11, 2025

if you’d have told me the thunder were only gonna score 17 points in the first quarter i’d have guessed they were gonna be down by 15 not that they’d have more than double the points of the nuggets

— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) May 11, 2025

OKC is 6-of-22 FG after 1 for 17 points.
DEN is 2-of-22 FG after 1 for 8 points.

Lowest combined total for a 1st quarter in NBA history.

I don’t want to say this is the reason for the poor shooting, but an awful idea to have Thunder-Nuggets tip off just 38 hours after the end…

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) May 11, 2025

Thunder vs Nuggets pic.twitter.com/7xJAIGoBAQ

— 𝐇𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐍 🪓🐻 (@OwnedByJaMorant) May 11, 2025

Maybe the worst of any series across these playoffs.

Nuggets are 2 for 19 (!!!). Thunder shooting 30%. Teams have combined to shoot 1 for 21 from deep. Airballs galore. https://t.co/W1YUaAkNIU

— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) May 11, 2025

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