The Oklahoma City Thunder outclassed the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference second-round playoffs. In their most recent game, they recorded a dominant 125-93 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the key to this runaway victory. He had 35 points, tons of highlight dunks and just demonstrated the athleticism that separates him. For the Thunder, it’s their first advance to the Western Conference finals since 2016.
The game, played at the Thunder’s home Paycom Center, was an ass-kicking from start to finish. Gilgeous-Alexander was 12 of 19 from the floor, completely matched his score with a defensive high-water mark of three steals and zero turnovers. His performance was a big part of the team’s success. They took advantage of Denver’s errors, turning 23 turnovers into 37 points.
Jalen Williams was just as proficient, scoring 24 points on an efficient 10-of-17 shooting performance. The Thunder were clearly on their game, showing an impressive efficiency by committing only 10 turnovers to the opponent’s 22. The Thunder had their way the entire game, leading by as much as 43 points in the fourth quarter. This lopsided margin served to emphasize their utter dominance during the game.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance, stating, “He did an unbelievable job individually.” The team’s defensive strategy, particularly Alex Caruso’s contributions, played a crucial role in limiting the Nuggets’ scoring opportunities.
That win moves the red-hot Thunder into the Second Round of the playoffs. It’s deeply important for the franchise and its fans. Gilgeous-Alexander expressed his sentiments after the game, saying, “It means a lot, specifically for the city.” He acknowledged the unwavering support from fans throughout the season, stating, “No team in the league has a home-court advantage like we do.”
Nuggets’ interim head coach David Adelman reflected on his team’s struggles during the game. “To have the start we wanted and then to have it go sideways so quickly was tough,” he remarked. He continued describing how the pressure of the Thunder flustered his team to the point where they lost control of the tempo.
Looking forward, the Thunder will have a matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals, beginning Tuesday at home. This year’s matchup serves as another chance for the Oklahoma City franchise to win their first title after entering the league 10 years ago.
