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Oklahoma State wrestling coach David Taylor gives epic reaction to Nikola Jokic shot in NBA playoffs

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko05/14/25nickkosko59
Oklahoma State wrestling coach David Taylor gives epic reaction to Nikola Jokic shot in NBA playoffs
SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oklahoma State head coach David Taylor was caught on camera during the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 5 win over the Denver Nuggets. He was all of us!

In a wild affair during the Western Conference semifinals, Taylor witnessed an epic win by the Thunder, who are now one win away from the conference finals. But before celebrating the win, TNT cameras caught Taylor courtside reacting to a ridiculous Nikola Jokic shot.

Dribbling in traffic, turning around and then chucking it up for three, Jokic tied the game 103-103 with 1:39 left. The Thunder went on to win 112-105, but the crowd, including Taylor, was stunned.

We can only imagine that many people had the same reaction as Taylor, whether you were rooting for Denver or OKC. Coming off a successful year for the Oklahoma State wrestling program, Taylor witnessed more madness in the state.

Will he return to OKC for a Game 7 if necessary? Maybe. If he does, hopefully, cameras realize the 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist is just as big of a sports fan as the rest of us.

Oklahoma State went 13-1 in Taylor’s first year as head coach, taking over for the legendary John Smith. He quickly rebuilt the roster with transfers and recruits to finish No. 3 in the country as a dual team.

Oklahoma State won the Big 12 Championships, finishing in first with 153.5 team points and one individual champion. It was the 2025 NCAA Championships where Taylor and crew made their mark for Year 1.

The Cowboys had three NCAA finalists and four All-Americans in total. With two NCAA champions, eyeballs returned to Stillwater and the progress made under Taylor.

The biggest upset came at heavyweight as Wyatt Hendrickson knocked off two-time champ and Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson (Minnesota). In the final match of the night, Hendrickson was the second Cowboy to win a title after 174-pounder Dean Hamiti’s overtime win over two-time champion Keegan O’Toole (Missouri).

“That was one of the greatest matches I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” Taylor said. “That’s almost like, surreal in the corner to think they ‘We have a chance here, right? We got a chance here.’ And Wyatt came over (and I said) ‘go get it.’ you know? (Think about Dean Hamiti) beating two separate national champions to win, right? Wyatt beating two separate national champions to win. I think that’s our staff, all of everybody in our program and the things that we’re trying to do.”