Unlikely reserve comes up huge for Nuggets in Game 6 win

Julian Strawther stepped up in a big way Thursday night, helping the Denver Nuggets to a 119-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, forcing a Game 7 in their Western Conference semifinal series.

Strawther produced 15 points, all in the second half, in 20 minutes of play off the bench and was credited for his contribution in the win-or-go-home game.

“Julian is going to get credit for his 15 points but I thought he held water defensively, too,” Nuggets interim coach David Adelman said.

The second-year guard from Gonzaga averaged 9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game during the regular season.

He’s had to deal with knee and ankle injuries throughout his professional career, including a pair of knee injuries earlier this season. He started four of the 65 games he played this season.