Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a stellar performance, scoring 35 points, while Jalen Williams contributed 24 points, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a decisive victory over the Denver Nuggets with a score of 125-93 in Game 7 on Sunday. This victory propels the Thunder into the Western Conference Finals, marking their first appearance in this stage since 2016. Starting on Tuesday, Oklahoma City will host the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
With an impressive record of 68 wins during the regular season, the Thunder dominated the league, securing the top seed. Last year, they faced a disappointing exit in the conference semifinals as the No. 1 seed, falling to the Dallas Mavericks. This year, the Thunder had the challenge of overcoming the three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and a formidable Denver team, who won the NBA title in 2023 and advanced past the Los Angeles Clippers in a grueling seven-game series in the first round.
Following the victory, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his players for their composure under pressure. “There’s not many games where you wake up knowing you’re going to remember it for the rest of your life, and Game 7 is one of them,” he stated. “To focus through that and perform the way these guys did today was very impressive.”
On the opposing side, Jokić managed to score 20 points, along with nine rebounds and seven assists for the Nuggets. Aaron Gordon, a pivotal player for Denver throughout the playoffs, started despite battling a strained left hamstring. He recorded eight points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes of play. Nuggets interim coach David Adelman expressed admiration for Gordon’s determination, stating, “What Gordon played with today, I don’t know many people that would even attempt to go out there and run up and down. That was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen.”
The Thunder faced an early challenge, falling behind by 11 points in the first quarter. However, they quickly regained their momentum, taking the lead early in the second quarter. Oklahoma City outscored Denver 39-20 in that period, heading into halftime with a commanding 60-46 lead. Tensions rose in the third quarter when Gordon was called for a flagrant-1 foul for elbowing Gilgeous-Alexander in the face. Gilgeous-Alexander converted both free throws, followed by a short jumper from Williams, extending Oklahoma City’s lead to 66-46.
In a highlight of the game, Cason Wallace executed a fast break, delivering an electrifying dunk over Jokić that sent the Thunder crowd into a frenzy. By the end of the third quarter, Oklahoma City held a 97-72 lead, demonstrating their dominance and never looking back. “We’re better now than we were at the beginning of the series, and it’s because of them,” Daigneault remarked, acknowledging the challenges posed by the Nuggets.
As the Thunder prepare for their upcoming series against the Timberwolves, fans are optimistic about their chances of advancing further in the playoffs. With key players like Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams stepping up, Oklahoma City is poised to make a significant impact in the NBA Playoffs.
