The Oklahoma City Thunder were able to tie the series at two games apiece on Sunday afternoon, evading a 3-1 series deficit.

The difference was Denver’s role players stepped up, showing the composure of a championship team that had been there before. That started with Aaron Gordon, who scored 17 points and hit the clutch 3-pointer that forced overtime. AARON GORDON TIES THE GAME AT 102! We are heading to OT on ESPN for Game 3! pic.twitter.com/Tr1gCS2jLa

It may sound familiar, but for the Nuggets, the messaging is proving quite prophetic of late.

Nikola Jokic has shot below 40% over a three-game stretch with at least 15 attempts for the first time in his career.

ESPN cameras showed Lisa, a former basketball All-State selection at Missouri, multiple times during the game and after big plays made by her son.

For those who keep track of such things, the Nuggets shot 9-for-44 from the field and 1-for-25 from 3 in the first and fourth quarters.

Barkley pointed out how Jokic's statistical excellence makes him very important to the Nuggets. The center averaged a triple-double during the regular season, and while Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to win the league MVP award this year, many still consider Jokic the best player in the world.