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**Thunder vs. Nuggets: Game 7 Showdown at 3:30 PM ET on ABC – Who Will Face the Wolves in the Western Conference Finals?**
🏀 **Today’s Top 5 Highlights**
1. **Game 7 Recap in a Minute:** All the essentials for today’s critical clash.
2. **Journey to This Point:** How Denver and Oklahoma City arrived at this pivotal matchup after a year of ups and downs.
3. **SGA vs. Joker:** A spotlight on the two Kia NBA MVP finalists in this decisive Game 7.
4. **Key Game 7 Variables:** Factors like injuries, playoff experience, team depth, and more could play a crucial role.
5. **Game 7 Legacy:** A nostalgic glance at some unforgettable Game 7 moments from history.
**BUT FIRST … ⏰**
**The Moment Has Arrived:** Denver and OKC will face off for the 11th and final time this season (3:30 PM ET, ABC), with a spot in the Western Conference Finals up for grabs.
**WNBA Highlights from Saturday:** Caitlin Clark’s triple-double (20 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast) powered Indiana past Chicago, while Breanna Stewart (25 pts) led New York to victory in their title defense against A’ja Wilson (31 pts, 16 reb) and Las Vegas. Additionally, Satou Sabally’s 27 points spearheaded Phoenix’s win over Seattle.
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1. **ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GAME 7 IN A MINUTE**
The stakes could not be higher for the Thunder and Nuggets as they gear up for today’s Game 7 (3:30 PM ET, ABC).
After a thrilling series with ties at 1-1, 2-2, and now 3-3, this Western Conference Semifinal will be resolved in just 48 minutes of intense basketball (and possibly more, should overtime be necessary).
If you’re wondering which team might have the upper hand, playoff history seems to send mixed signals (see all statistics below leading into the 2025 Playoffs).
The winner will advance to meet the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, which is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday (8:30 PM ET, ESPN). With Minnesota as the 6-seed, Game 1 will take place at either the 1-seed Oklahoma City or the 4-seed Denver.
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2. **HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT THIS POINT? A YEAR IN THE MAKING**
The path to today’s Game 7 in the Western Conference Semifinals started a year ago when both the Nuggets and Thunder faced elimination in the same round of the 2024 Playoffs.
After an offseason filled with disappointment, both teams were eager to rebound in the 2025 season.
When the regular season commenced, the Thunder shot to the top of the Western Conference. For nearly the entire season from November 25 to the end of the regular season on April 13, the Thunder remained the number one team.
As the playoffs began, they maintained their momentum, sweeping Memphis in the first round and achieving a record-setting Game 1 victory (+51), the largest in playoff history.
Conversely, the Nuggets had to endure a grueling seven-game series against the Clippers, triumphing in the final game on their home ground. This marks Denver’s second consecutive series extending to seven games (this matchup with OKC now makes it three).
This led to a highly competitive series, reminiscent of a boxing match, with both teams exchanging blows over the first six games.
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3. **SGA VS. JOKER: MVP FINALISTS COLLIDE IN GAME 7**
Today marks a critical showdown between two of the NBA’s standout players: Oklahoma City’s scoring leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver’s versatile star Nikola Jokić, as they vie to extend their spectacular seasons.
The spotlight is on these two elite athletes as they strive to propel their teams to the Western Conference Finals.
Last season, both stars were eliminated in the second round. However, they’ve bounced back this year with remarkable performances, earning spots as two of the three Kia NBA MVP Finalists alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
This is a significant chapter in NBA history, as today’s Game 7 (3:30 PM ET, ABC) features two legends battling it out with their legacies on the line.
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4. **POTENTIAL GAME 7 X-FACTORS**
In the past fortnight, both teams have shown how evenly matched they are, each seeking an advantage in this crucial series.
With MVP finalists delivering exceptional performances—Jokić boasting averages of 29.8 points, 14.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, a 58.0 TS%, and 29.9 USG% and SGA contributing 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, a 60.6 TS%, and 28.6 USG%—the spotlight initially falls on these stars.
However, Game 7s can frequently hinge on unheralded players stepping up, those who elevate their play as the stakes rise.
Here are five potential game-changers that could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of Game 7.
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5. **GREATEST MOMENTS IN GAME 7 HISTORY**
Today marks the 154th Game 7 in NBA history and the third of the current postseason.
Before we weave a new tale into the tapestry of Game 7 history, let’s reflect on some of the most memorable moments from these high-pressure games, shared in chronological order:
