Latest news with #Don'tStopMeNow
Belfast Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Race For Life: Two NI friends in cancer remission reveal their ‘singing lifeline' during Belfast event
Dawn Mackey and Avril Campbell were invited stars at this year's event held at Stormont on Sunday. The event, which supports Cancer Research UK, includes 3k, 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy challenges for adults and children, raising millions for cancer research each year. The pair, both in remission from breast cancer, sounded the starter horn to send around 2,000 participants off on the 3k and 5k courses during the morning. More than £200,000 was raised by the event, helping scientists develop new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. After serving as official starters, Dawn and Avril joined the 50-strong Rock Choir from Lisburn, led by Clare Galway, outside Stormont buildings to motivate race participants along the route. The friends say being part of the choir has helped them cope with their cancer journey. Dawn (60) from Craigavon was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024 after a routine screening, despite having no symptoms. A retired district nurse, she said the screening service saved her life. Dawn has since had surgery, five radiotherapy sessions, and started taking tamoxifen—a drug proven effective by Cancer Research UK-funded research. Discussing her journey to remission, Dawn explained she is on a mission to 'raise awareness about early detection and screening.' 'When I was diagnosed with cancer I went into 'nurse mode' at first and tried to protect my loved ones. I stayed positive on the outside, but inside I was frightened,' she said. 'Thank goodness for screening, as without it I'd never have detected there was anything wrong. I'm well now, so it's important to me to do everything I can to raise awareness about early detection and screening. Dawn added that the support around her, including using music as an outlet, helped her cope. 'I had an amazing consultant, oncologist, breast nurse and radiotherapy team. 'My family supported me every step of the way while the choir gave me empathy — and most importantly laughter. Singing with the choir helped bring the joyous part of me back, and screening helped save my life.' 'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Belfast, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope' Music has also helped Avril, 56, from Banbridge, who will mark nine years since finishing breast cancer treatment this September. She underwent surgery, 16 chemotherapy sessions, 23 radiotherapy sessions, and later started tamoxifen medication. The mum of three said each member of the Rock Choir is inspirational and she is 'proud to be a part of' it, adding that it is 'one of the happiest one and a half hours of my week.' 'Our leader Clare is inspirational as are the choir members. I'm proud to be part of it.' The choir performed hits including Don't Stop Me Now by Queen and Super Trouper by Abba. Earlier in the day, International United Ms United Kingdom beauty queen Anouska Black of Craigavon sounded the start horn for the 10k participants. Anouska, 35, said: 'It was an honour to open this year's Race for Life Belfast and I've loved cheering everyone on. 'Both my grandfathers sadly passed away with cancer and I know it's a disease that touches so many families. Thankfully, there are many more effective treatments out there today, making it possible for people to get through cancer but that's been made possible thanks to the generosity of people raising funds for life-saving research. That's why I'm in awe of every single person who crossed the finish line.' Speaking after the event, Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokeswoman in Northern Ireland, commented: 'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Belfast, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.' She added: 'Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime** but all of us can support the research that will beat it. 'We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OKC Thunder storms past Nuggets in Game 7 to reach Western Conference finals
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability subject to change. After getting a steal late in the second quarter, Jalen Williams tested the breakaway rim with a viscous two-handed dunk. The OKC forward then stood over the basketball while it bounced on the Paycom Center floor. And, with adrenaline coursing through his veins, he yelled at it. Advertisement What Williams said, exactly, couldn't be heard over the deafening home crowd. Maybe that was for the best, but the ball shouldn't take it personally. The real message was meant for Williams' critics, and there were plenty of them entering OKC's 125-93 home win over Denver in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday. Williams had struggled all series, averaging 16.5 points through the first six games. But he surpassed that number in the second quarter alone with 17 points. Williams finished with 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also poured in a game-high 35 points and three steals, while Chet Holmgren added 13 points and 11 boards. Advertisement No. 1-seeded OKC will now advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2016. It'll face No. 6 Minnesota. Here are four more takeaways from the game: CARLSON: With road to NBA championship wide open, OKC Thunder passes huge test bouncing Nuggets The banged-up Nuggets struck first Aaron Gordon, once known for his gravity-defying jams in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, only got a few inches off the ground when he elevated for a layup late in the first quarter. It was the best the Denver forward could do as he played through a Grade 2 left hamstring strain that should've sidelined him for a month, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. But it was good enough. Advertisement Gordon absorbed the contact from Cason Wallace and finished the and-one layup. That extended the lead to 21-10 for Denver, which struck first despite having numerous banged-up players. Michael Porter Jr. continued to play through a Grade 2 shoulder sprain, which he said should've sidelined him for 4-6 weeks. Instead, the 26-year-old forward has been taking lidocaine shots to play through the pain. Jamal Murray has also been battling an illness, and Russell Westbrook appeared on the injury report Saturday with a sprained right hand. More: Why Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' is the OKC Thunder's victory anthem at Paycom Center Depth was the difference as OKC ran away with the game Jokic sat for the first 99 seconds of the second quarter. Advertisement It was a brief break for the three-time MVP, who helped Denver build a 26-21 lead. But as he caught his breath, the Nuggets went lifeless. OKC outscored Denver 8-0 during Jokic's absence. Isaiah Hartenstein capped off the scoring spree with a put-back dunk, and Nuggets head coach David Adelman was forced to burn a timeout so he could get his superstar center back in the game. OKC claimed a 60-46 lead at halftime, and Denver's lack of depth was its downfall in the first two quarters. Its three bench players (Westbrook, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther) combined for a plus-minus of negative-52. OKC also played three guys off the bench in the first half: Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins and Wallace. They combined for a plus-minus of 45. Advertisement More: How OKC Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein improved as Nikola Jokic's backup with Nuggets Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) hugs Denver's Russell Westbrook (4) after the Thunder eliminated the Nuggets with a 125-93 victory in Game 7 at Paycom Center on May 18. OKC played its fast-paced style of basketball Jamal Murray was in what could generously be described as a jog. Christian Braun was slowly backtracking. And Gordon, to be fair, was hindered by a hamstring injury. That wasn't a great formula for Denver, which struggled to get back on defense after Porter missed a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter. And OKC took advantage. Williams snagged the board and zipped a pass to Wallace, who only had Jokic standing between him and the rim. He threw down a viscous one-handed dunk over the big man, causing Thunder fans to nearly tear the roof off of the Paycom Center. Advertisement Plays like that fueled OKC in its blowout victory. The Thunder recorded 27 fastbreak points compared to the Nuggets' 14. It also forced 23 turnovers and converted them into 37 points. MUSSATTO: Jalen Williams redeems himself in Game 7 of NBA Playoffs by fueling Thunder past Nuggets OKC enters Western Conference finals as young, battle-tested squad You know the stats. Pretty much everyone who follows the Thunder does. OKC entered this season as the youngest team in the NBA. It's also the second-youngest team in league history to secure the No. 1 seed in either conference, trailing only itself from last season. Advertisement OKC's youth is no secret. And it'll be the less-experienced team once again in its Western Conference finals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who reached that stage last season. The Thunder is still the new kid on the block, but it's no longer smooth-skinned and clean-shaven. It's a rugged group, covered in battle scars from a war of a series against the Nuggets. Game 1 between OKC and Minnesota is set for 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday in Oklahoma City (ESPN). REQUIRED READING: OKC Thunder didn't 'leave anything on the table' in Game 7 smackdown of Denver Nuggets Western Conference finals: Thunder vs. Timberwolves Game 1: Minnesota at OKC | 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN) Game 2: Minnesota at OKC | 7:30 p.m. Thursday (ESPN) Game 3: OKC at Minnesota | 7:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC) Game 4: OKC at Minnesota | 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 26 (ESPN) Game 5 (If necessary): Minnesota at OKC | 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28 (ESPN) Game 6 (If necessary): OKC at Minnesota | 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 30 (ESPN) Game 7 (If necessary): Minnesota at OKC | 7 p.m. Sunday, June 1 (ESPN) This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder dismantles Denver Nuggets to advance in 2025 NBA Playoffs
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' is the OKC Thunder's victory anthem at Paycom Center
Thunder fans want lots of things on Sunday afternoon. A big game from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. A better game from Jalen Williams. A defensive gem from Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Oklahoma City's band of greedy guardians of the goal. Advertisement But above all, the fans want a Game 7 win against the Nuggets to close out the Western Conference semifinals and advance to the Western Conference finals. Then, cue the celebration. The music, too. Regulars at Paycom Center know the routine: As soon as that final buzzer sounds on a Thunder victory, the opening strains of Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' pump through the arena. It starts with just Freddie Mercury and some piano. Don't stop me now. Don't stop me now. 'Cause I'm havin' a good time … And with that, the tempo picks up and it's raucous and energetic and fun. MUSSATTO: What's at stake for Thunder vs Nuggets in Game 7? 'It's do or die' Look around the sports world, and you'll hear all sorts of victory music. Some of it has been used by the team for decades, and a few even have victory music written especially for the franchise. Others have songs that have a connection to their city or state. But more often than not, especially in the NBA, the victory music is random, often fast paced in the 'Jock Jam' model of tunes. Advertisement Quite frankly, the Thunder's victory music is one of the more unique choices in all of sports. So, how did a franchise in the buckle of the Bible belt that has a deep and rich country music history land on a 1978 song by a British rock band known to be flamboyant and defiant? Dan Mahoney said it was hard to ignore the lyrics. 'You come upon Freddie Mercury and Queen — that's a pretty good place to start,' the Thunder's vice president for broadcasting and corporate communications said. 'And a lyric like, 'Don't stop me now, I'm having a good time,' you can't beat that.' The Thunder started using 'Don't Stop Me Now' during the 2022-23 season. Before that, the team had used several other songs for its victory music. Advertisement 'Thunderstruck' by AC/DC. 'Takin' Care of Business' by Bachman-Turner Overdrive. 'Celebration' by Kool & The Gang. 'I Gotta Feeling' by Black Eyed Peas. 'We look to keep things fresh,' Mahoney said. More: How OKC Thunder gave Denver Nuggets hope in Game 6, 'most dangerous thing' in NBA Playoffs Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates a 3-point basket during Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City , Sunday, April, 20, 2025. That's the franchise's approach to all things related to what the fans see, hear and feel during games. Promotions. Skits. Entertainment. Lighting. Videos. Advertisements. And yes, music. It's collectively the game experience. 'Our whole approach has always been, what can we do to make a wonderful game experience for our fans even better?' Mahoney said. 'We're constantly striving for that.' Advertisement He said the team that internally focuses on such things strives to give fans moments that they'll always remember. 'And obviously, the game ends and if we win, everyone's happy, everyone's walking out excited,' Mahoney said. 'We want to just help enhance that. Music is a very important part of that.' So, what's important in a victory song? First off, it needs to be something that sticks with fans. It doesn't have to be the most popular song in the world, but it needs to be catchy and almost earwormy. 'We want a song that people will sing all the way out of the building, all the way to their cars and all the way home to keep the moment going, keep the fun going,' Mahoney said. Advertisement Second, it needs to be a song that reflects the mood. Something celebratory and jubilant, and if it has a smidge of togetherness and community, all the better. Listen to other teams' victory songs, and you'll hear many of the same attributes. The Minnesota Twins, for example, use 'Let's Go Crazy' by Prince after they win, and while the artist and team are a perfect fit — Prince was born, raised and lived in Minneapolis — the song would be great even without those ties. It is loud and upbeat, and the idea of 'Let's Go Crazy' after a win is perfect. 'Cleveland Rocks' is similarly fitting for the Cleveland Guardians. The peppy tune covered by the Presidents of the United States of America is a musical love letter to the sometimes besmirched city. Advertisement While it has a different vibe, 'New York, New York' by Frank Sinatra has a similar resonance with Big Apple residents when played after Yankee wins. CARLSON: OKC Thunder needs more from Jalen Williams to oust Nuggets from NBA Playoffs in Game 7 3rd September 1984: British rock group Queen in concert with singer Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 - 1991) and guitarist Brian May. (Photo by Rogers/Express/Getty Images) Speaking of songs and artists with strong ties to a team, Oklahoma City has no shortage of options. There are all sorts of songs about Oklahoma. The state song, 'Oklahoma!', is a classic. 'Oklahoma Breakdown' by Stoney LaRue is lively. And there's about a million options from Garth Brooks and Vince Gill and Reba McEntire. If you don't want country, The Flaming Lips have quite the catalog, too. Advertisement No doubt the Thunder has considered all of those options and more. Who knows? Maybe there'll come a day when one of them gets the nod. Maybe a victory song might even stick. Mahoney said the Thunder isn't opposed to one song becoming the tradition. 'We look for ways that we can keep things going as tradition,' he said. 'Sometimes, that's important, but sometimes, changing it up, keeping things fresh is important.' Change has been the constant with the team's victory song. Who knows? If the Thunder keeps winning, it might be the soundtrack to a return to the NBA Finals or perhaps even an NBA title. That might enshrine 'Don't Stop Me Now' as the team's victory music for years to come. Advertisement Or it might be a reason to retire it. 'There's no expiration date on it,' Mahoney said of 'Don't Stop Me Now' as the victory song, 'but we'll continue to evaluate what's the best for the game experience like we do with everything else.' More: Thunder vs Nuggets grades: Julian Strawther, foul trouble spell trouble for OKC in Game 6 Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at jcarlson@ Like her at follow her at @ and and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' is OKC Thunder's home victory song
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunder vs Nuggets report card: Give Alex Caruso perfect grade for thwarting Nikola Jokic
The Thunder did its best to remove any drama Game 7s are supposed to be infused with. After a nervy first quarter, the Thunder dominated the second quarter and never looked back in a 125-93 win over the Nuggets on Sunday afternoon at Paycom Center. Advertisement Up next: A Western Conference finals date with the Timberwolves. Let's get to the grades. CARLSON: With road to NBA championship wide open, OKC Thunder passes huge test in bouncing Nuggets The Thunder guard gave up 6 inches and nearly 100 pounds to Nikola Jokic, but Caruso made the Nugget superstar's life miserable Sunday. He hounded. He poked. He prodded. Caruso wasn't perfect — and the Thunder gave him plenty of help with double teams — but his defense on Jokic was masterful. Caruso finished the game a plus-40, the highest plus-minus by a reserve in a Game 7 this century, according to StatMuse. Advertisement (Fellow Thunder reserve Cason Wallace had the next-highest plus-minus at plus-38.) Caruso changed the tenor of so many games this series, but none was more important than Sunday. Along with Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, Caruso helped hold Jokic to as many turnovers (five) as made baskets. — Jenni Carlson MUSSATTO: Jalen Williams redeems himself in Game 7 of NBA Playoffs by fueling Thunder past Nuggets Oklahoma City's Alex Caruso (9) reacts after a basket during the first half of the NBA basketball Game 7 playoff game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, May, 18, 2025. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A+ It was the Alex-Caruso-denying-Nikola-Jokic Game. The Jalen Williams Redemption Game. Lost in that, although it shouldn't be, was a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander masterclass. Advertisement He scored 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting. He had four assists, three rebounds, three steals and a block. And not one turnover. This was MVP Shai. — Joe Mussatto 5 TAKEAWAYS: OKC Thunder storms past Nuggets in Game 7 to reach Western Conference finals Cason Wallace dunk over Nikola Jokic: A Some dunks elicit an immediate reaction. Like the one Cason Wallace had over Nikola Jokic midway through the third quarter. Even Mike Breen lost his cool. The Thunder isn't a team of high flyers. Wallace might be OKC's best in-game dunker. — Joe Mussatto More: OKC Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves predictions, odds: Who wins Western Conference finals? Thunder crowd: A+ 'Deafening,' is how Alex Caruso described it. Advertisement The crowd sounded as nervous as the team played in the first quarter, but Caruso made Paycom Center erupt when he trapped Christian Braun in the corner and forced the Nuggets guard into a travel. It's only going to get louder from here on. Time to bust out the earplugs. Pockets of the lower bowl stood for the entire second half … including timeouts. — Joe Mussatto CARLSON: Why Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' is the OKC Thunder's victory anthem at Paycom Center Points off turnovers: A The Thunder had a 37-7 advantage in the points-off-turnovers category, a ridiculously lopsided total. But that starts with Oklahoma City forcing Denver into a whopping 23 turnovers, all but seven of which came on Thunder steals. Then, OKC turned a lot of those into fastbreak opportunities. Advertisement The Thunder held a 27-14 advantage in transition. The flip side to those lopsided numbers is, of course, that the Thunder only committed 10 turnovers. In a high-stakes, high-pressure Game 7 against a top-shelf opponent, OKC took great care of the ball. All of that made its advantageous nature of scoring off Denver turnovers even more of a positive. — Jenni Carlson More: When do Western Conference finals start? Times, TV schedule for Thunder vs Timberwolves Thunder bench: B+ Mark Daigneault shortened his rotation to eight players Sunday night. The five starters plus Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins off the bench. Advertisement Neither Jaylin Williams nor Isaiah Joe played in meaningful minutes. Caruso was a two-way monster. Wiggins, who took the third-most shots on the team, wasn't efficient, but he made a big 3-pointer to beat a shot-clock buzzer and had a nice put-back slam on a Chet Holmgren missed 3-pointer. Wallace was a defensive menace and was a plus-38 in his minutes. Caruso was a team-best plus-40. — Joe Mussatto More: Thunder take next step, but Shai-Gilgeous Alexander & Co. have a lot left to prove Aaron Gordon: B The Nugget wing was doubtful to play heading into the game after suffering a hamstring injury, but even though there were times he looked a bit gimpy, Gordon was tough as nails. Advertisement He scored eight points on 2-of-4 shooting and grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds. Amazing stuff for a guy who was probably struggling to jump. When a guy has a bad hamstring and tries to play through it, that's often when you see someone hurting their team more than they're helping. But Gordon didn't hurt the Nuggets. Yes, he had four turnovers, maybe more than you'd like, but Jokic had five and as far as we know, his hamstring was fine. — Jenni Carlson More: Run, gun and stun. Thunder's offensive options, suffocating defense too much for Nuggets Pregame atmosphere: A A note to any fans who've never gotten into the arena early before a playoff game: You should experience it at least once. Advertisement The pregame atmosphere at Paycom Center is really pretty cool. Lots of fans get in their seats early, which makes for a loud arena, then there's the whole put-on-your-T-shirt thing, which Thunder fans take super seriously. They often do a fan lip sync, then the scene when the players come onto the court is worth catching. It's loud and lively with plenty of special lighting and effects. Yes, the game itself is the atmosphere that matters most, but tip of the cap to the game-ops folks and to the fans. The scene before tipoff is hyped. — Jenni Carlson This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder vs Nuggets grades: Alex Caruso thwarts Nikola Jokic for A+
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What went wrong for Nuggets vs Thunder? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC 'got a squad'
Confetti sprinkled down onto Nuggets players as Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' blared throughout Paycom Center. The tune served as a fitting anthem for a Oklahoma City Thunder team still dancing through the playoffs. Advertisement But amid the celebration, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon stood still, brushing streamers off his arms and lowering his shoulders in quiet defeat. Denver had just been eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals. Again. This time in a 125-93 blowout loss to the Thunder in Game 7. Unlike last season's hard-fought exit against the Timberwolves, Sunday's loss felt definitive. 'To have the start that we wanted and then for it to go sideways so quickly — I thought we controlled the pace of the game early,' Nuggets interim coach David Adelman said. 'It's easy to forget that now.' Denver jumped out to a 21-10 lead in the first seven minutes. But the Thunder responded with a backbreaking 50-24 run to end the half, taking a 16-point lead into the break and never looking back. Advertisement A lot went wrong for the Nuggets in various spurts throughout that stretch. REQUIRED READING: OKC Thunder didn't 'leave anything on the table' in Game 7 smackdown of Denver Nuggets For starters, Thunder forward Jalen Williams spearheaded the turnaround. After a quiet start, he exploded for 17 of his 24 points in the second quarter to fuel an 18-5 run just before halftime. OKC also forced 12 first-half turnovers which led to 12 points and 10 additional fastbreak points. 'To be honest, playing seven games against them reminded me of playing AAU,' Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray said. 'Everybody is young, athletic and flying around playing half court trap. Everybody's flying in for rebounds, fast breaks were going up back and forth. Advertisement 'This is a young, talented group that has a lot to offer.' Most notably, the injury to Gordon left Denver with little room for error. The Nuggets' hopes were further hampered by the limited status of Gordon, who suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in the closing minutes of Game 6. Though cleared to play shortly before tipoff, he was clearly not himself. 'I couldn't sprint — that was tough,' Gordon said. 'I was trying to play a real old man game. I gave it my all." Gordon had emerged to become one of the league's best point-of-attack defenders and held OKC's Williams to struggle throughout the series. He even stepped up at times this postseason as Denver's second scoring option to star Nikola Jokic to average a career playoff best 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds. Advertisement Other factors such as poor shooting from Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook also played a role. But the absence of Gordon's high motor on the ball and on the glass defensively left a clear void throughout the afternoon. CARLSON: With road to NBA championship wide open, OKC Thunder passes huge test in bouncing Nuggets Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren (7) greets Denver's Nikola Jokic (15) following the NBA basketball Game 7 playoff game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, May, 18, 2025. When asked what went wrong, Gordon echoed a sentiment that's grown familiar throughout the series. 'I mean, they've got a squad,' Gordon said. 'They're very interchangeable. They've got a lot of pesky defenders and they're well coached.' Denver enters the offseason with several questions looming over the organization. Advertisement The franchise must decide whether to elevate Adelman to head coach following the late season firing of Michael Malone. A new general manager will also need to be hired after Calvin Booth's firing last month. Financially, the Nuggets are heavily tied up. Over $167 million is committed next season to Jokic, Murray, Porter and Gordon. While Denver's core is locked in, depth was a glaring issue throughout the playoffs, forcing the starting five into heavy minutes and often leading to late-game fatigue. Adelman acknowledged as much. 'You can't win these games unless you get to them,' Adelman said. 'If we're going to get there, we need people to improve. We need to improve our depth. How do you do that? Well, I think you have to have better development. I think it makes you better when you get to these moments in April, May and hopefully June.' Advertisement Denver's 2023 NBA championship feels even further in the rearview mirror now. If the Nuggets are to return to that level, big decisions — and even bigger improvements — await. MUSSATTO: Jalen Williams redeems himself in Game 7 of NBA Playoffs by fueling Thunder past Nuggets Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@ or on X/Twitter at @jdavis34_. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Nuggets will need help for Nikola Jokic after season ends vs Thunder
