Denver needed someone, anyone, to contribute off the bench while facing elimination versus the Thunder. Strawther was that guy.

Without a tooth, without a driver’s license, an unlikely hero emerged in Game 6 of a playoff series that belongs among the classics.

Now this was finally a role Julian Strawther could sink his teeth into, even if it cost him one. Playing meaningful extended minutes for first time in the series, the Denver Nuggets guard provided a spark off the bench as he scored all 15 of his points in the second half Thursday night.