The pressure of the NBA playoffs can push even the most experienced coaches to their limits. In Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, interim Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman faced some of the most intense scrutiny of his career. The result? A tough loss that has fans and analysts debating every key decision.

The Game 5 Turning Point

Game 5 saw Denver carrying an eight-point lead into the fourth quarter before things went awry. Amid mounting fatigue, superstar Nikola Jokic stayed on the court for the entire second half—an unusual move in an already grinding postseason. Adelman stood by his choice after the game, acknowledging, "If it is fatigue, that’s on me" (Denver Post).

Jokic finished with an incredible 44 points and 15 rebounds. Yet, the Nuggets scored only 19 in the final frame. Their offense stalled, and the Thunder rallied. Adelman explained that he and Jokic discussed the decision, with Jokic expressing confidence in his ability to keep going.

The Coaching Challenge

Coaching any playoff team is demanding, but the circumstances made Adelman’s task even harder. Keeping Jokic and Jamal Murray on the floor for extended stretches left Denver vulnerable to tired legs at the worst possible moment. As the Thunder surged, Denver struggled to answer.

This wasn’t the first time the Nuggets lost a playoff game after key players sat out minimal minutes in the final quarter. It brings to mind last year’s infamous Game 7 collapse against the Timberwolves—a fact not lost on fans or journalists (read an analysis from Denver Gazette).

Fatigue or Execution?

Some argue fatigue was the true culprit, but Jamal Murray was quick to disagree. He stressed, “I play better when I’m tired." Still, the pattern is clear: Denver’s stars played major minutes, and the Thunder had fresher legs in crunch time.

Meanwhile, the Thunder’s balanced rotation proved effective, and their comeback underscored the importance of depth and in-game adjustments. Adelman’s decisions will be dissected for weeks, especially if the Nuggets can’t bounce back in the next games.

Looking Forward: Lessons for David Adelman

David Adelman demonstrated accountability—a leadership quality every team needs. He publicly wondered if a different rotation might have altered the outcome. The Nuggets now face elimination and must win two straight games to reach the Western Conference Finals. Adelman’s challenge will be finding the right mix of rest, rotation, and urgency for his roster.

For a detailed breakdown of the pivotal moment and the coaching decisions that defined the contest, you can read Inside the NBA’s assessment of Game 5.

Conclusion: The Weight of Every Decision

Game 5 will be remembered as a test of coaching resolve and a lesson in the razor-thin margins of playoff basketball. David Adelman has become the face of both accountability and challenge as the Nuggets fight for their postseason life. Fans and analysts alike will watch to see if his next moves can change the narrative.

Denver’s fate remains undecided—but one thing is clear: in the playoffs, every coaching choice carries the weight of a city’s hopes.