Who is Julian Strawther? Nuggets unsung hero steps up to force Game 7 vs. Thunder

There will be a Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals.

With their backs against the wall, the Nuggets staved off elimination in Game 6 against the Thunder, gutting out a 119-107 win. And while stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the way, the win was a large product of the contributions from Denver's role players.

None came up bigger than second-year guard Julian Strawther.

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After struggling to make an impact through the first 12 games of the Nuggets' 2025 playoff run, Strawther turned in one of the biggest performances of his NBA career when it mattered most. Here's more on Strawther and his performance that helped save Denver's season.

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Who is Julian Strawther?

Strawther is a second-year guard for the Nuggets. He was selected 29th overall out of Gonzaga in the 2023 NBA Draft and acquired by Denver in a draft-day deal.

At Gonzaga, Strawther made a name for himself with his smooth shooting stroke and earned the status of March Madness legend with a buzzer-beating game-winner in the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 24, 2023

Since arriving in the NBA, Strawther's role with Denver has grown. While he has been limited during the playoffs, Strawther averaged 9.0 points and 2.2 rebounds over 65 games in 2024-25.

Julian Strawther Game 6 stats vs. Thunder

After scoring a total of 17 points through seven games in these playoffs, Strawther nearly matched that total in Game 6. Strawther finished with 15 points, his highest single-game total since scoring 16 points in a February regular-season win over the Hornets.

• 15 points
• 4-8 (50.0%) FGs
• 3-4 (75.0%) 3FGs
• 4-4 (100.0%) FTs
• 2 rebounds

In the third quarter, Strawther scored eight points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting, and Denver outscored Oklahoma City, 32-21, in the frame. The Nuggets took an eight-point lead into the final frame and did not look back in the fourth.

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 16, 2025

If the Nuggets pull off a Game 7 win, the "Julian Strawther Game" will be etched into the minds of Denver fans forever.

"THE JULIAN STRAWTHER GAME" 🔥 pic.twitter.com/arsRdNT0su

— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 16, 2025