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OKLAHOMA CITY— The Oklahoma City Thunder’s basketball journey took a sharp turn on Sunday after breezing through the regular season. The pressing question became: Can this youthful team handle the intense pressure of the playoffs?
The answer was an emphatic yes. In a decisive Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal against the Denver Nuggets, the Thunder claimed a dominant 125-85 victory, earning themselves a place in the Western Conference Finals.
It’s essential to consider the context: the Nuggets, at this point in their season, were severely fatigued, grappling with injuries—Aaron Gordon played on a compromised leg—along with a thinned roster.
However, deep in playoff territory, the reasons for winning become irrelevant. What matters is securing the victory, especially in a seven-game series. This win puts OKC just four victories away from reaching the NBA Finals.
Once the Thunder overcame the initial tension with a staggering 39-point second quarter, the outcome of Game 7 never seemed uncertain. Both teams faced the unknown before the tip-off.
“There are few games you wake up knowing you’ll remember for the rest of your life,” noted OKC head coach Mark Daigneault.
Here are five key insights from the high-stakes contest that propelled OKC into the West Finals.
Recording 68 wins in the regular season, a rarity in itself, and breezing through the first round may lead to a sense of superiority. If this mindset crept in for OKC, it would hardly be surprising.
The Thunder are acutely aware of the distinctions between seasons: this one is more grueling, demanding, and perilous.
They learned that lesson throughout this series. Regular season records don’t guarantee success; otherwise, the Nuggets would have been easily dispatched.
Looking ahead to their matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Thunder don’t need to be flawless—just better than they were against Denver.
“I felt nervous,” said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, describing his anticipation before Game 7 began.
OKC had more at stake, yet a competitive game turned into a rout, with all the blunders and shortcomings that prolonged the series fading away.
“Seven games is long, and you can’t maintain optimal play throughout the series,” Daigneault remarked.
Indeed, the Thunder did not play at their usual 68-win level against the Nuggets. However, they proved something significant, primarily to themselves: they can overcome any basketball challenge.
When it was most critical, OKC advanced as they began: with Gilgeous-Alexander shining brightly and efficiently (posting 35 points in 36 minutes) with contributions from his teammates.
“We’ve grown compared to how we started this series, and that improvement is thanks to our players,” Daigneault stated, adding that the series “tested our resolve.”
“That same determination will be necessary as we move forward,” he emphasized.
From Gilgeous-Alexander outscoring Denver’s star duo single-handedly to the Thunder’s strategic game plan, the team excelled in Game 7.
Gordon’s heart and determination were commendable, yet they couldn’t overcome the debilitating strain in his left leg. Despite battling a strained hamstring, he pushed through simply by taking the floor.
“I understood the risks, but my commitment to my team drove me to play,” he said.
He tussled for rebounds among the chaos, managing to secure 11—a personal playoff high. Scoring eight points while shooting 50% from the field, he played 24 minutes and endured to the final whistle.
He referred to it as “old man basketball,” indicating how he mostly stayed grounded.
Nuggets coach David Adelman characterized Gordon’s effort as “one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen.”
As the game progressed, it became apparent how it might conclude. Gordon visibly struggled after the first quarter. The Thunder started to exploit this, pressing him whenever he had the ball, leading to two strips as he faltered against the aggressive defense.
The player who had been underwhelming for three games, Jalen Williams, made a spectacular comeback, announcing his presence with authority.
The second quarter became pivotal for OKC. Following a swift 11-point deficit that sent a murmur through Paycom Center, the crowd questioned if an upset was brewing.
If the narrative is about Williams coming to the rescue, then the answer is yes. He stripped Nikola Jokić, drove for a dunk, and netted a three-pointer. Williams contributed 17 of OKC’s 29 points in that quarter—a display of dominance essential for a title contender from a secondary option.
In that quarter, he shot an impressive 8-for-11, surpassing the number of field goals he managed in Games 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 combined.
“He arrived with great intensity,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “He leveraged his speed and strength to create momentum. He wasn’t capable of delivering this performance last year.”
Williams stated he felt no pressure from earlier games; instead, he was “hyped and thrilled to play.”
He remarked, “You never know how many Game 7s you’ll be a part of.”
Should the Thunder find themselves in another, they now possess the blueprint for success.
Jalen Williams stepped up, while a trio of reserves provided defensive vigor and energy in OKC’s decisive win against Denver.
Kudos to Daigneault for devising another strategy to ensure Jokić worked hard for every point, inserting Alex Caruso as the primary defender.
Yes, that’s the 6-foot-5 Alex Caruso.
Caruso, a scrappy and intelligent defender, was tasked with challenging every dribble from Jokić. Help would come from Chet Holmgren or Isaiah Hartenstein, who would slip off their assignments to support the double team. Caruso limited Jokić to 2-for-5 shooting in the seven minutes he guarded him.
OKC employed a similar strategy during their Game 2 blowout victory, showcasing the same successful approach.
Daigneault labeled this tactic “a priority” and praised his platooning players for their relentless commitment and coordination.
Credit general manager Sam Presti as well, who acquired Caruso and Hartenstein last summer, anticipating the need for such depth in a playoff quest against Jokić en route to the NBA Finals.
The foresight from last July paid dividends on Sunday.
This series highlighted the Nuggets’ vulnerabilities as a team just three years removed from a championship, made painfully clear by their depth issues.
Whenever Jokić and Jamal Murray sought assistance, they received help only sporadically, especially during Game 7. While Gordon’s contributions were vital throughout the series, he should not be included in this discussion.
In stark contrast, Michael Porter Jr. had a dismal performance. His shaky confidence impacted his shooting, with numerous misses creating extra pressure on Murray and Jokić.
Porter has struggled with consistency since his poor playoff display against the Timberwolves in the 2024 West semifinals. This time, he cited lingering issues with his left shoulder that “affected so many aspects of my game.”
He acknowledged, “Ultimately, I didn’t perform well … it was mentally challenging for me.”
In the meantime, the Nuggets relied on Christian Braun for over 35 minutes in the playoffs. This reliance stemmed from Russell Westbrook’s turnovers and missed shots, showing a stark contrast to his MVP days. As Denver looked deeper into their bench for support, their options grew increasingly limited. The stage during Game 7 proved to be overwhelming for Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson, who combined for just four successful shots on 16 attempts.
The Nuggets will likely remove the interim tag from Adelman, who has earned a more permanent position. They must also find a general manager capable of navigating the team’s financial constraints and maximizing Jokić’s remaining prime years. Should they place Porter on the trading block? Consider bringing Westbrook back? The solutions are far from simple.
A stronger bench and a reliable backup center lead the Nuggets’ offseason checklist.
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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for over 25 years. You can reach him via email here, explore his archive here, and follow him on X.
The perspectives expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
