The Oklahoma City Thunder struck with tremendous authority in a match that had all the elements of a heavyweight bout. The Thunder defeated the reigning champion Denver Nuggets 125-93 in a lopsided Game 7 on Sunday, securing their place in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016 thanks to a blazing second-quarter outburst and unrelenting defensive pressure.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points on a productive night from the floor, once again demonstrating why he is one of the league's most unstoppable players. He set an example by displaying poise beyond his years and hitting Denver's defense with surgical accuracy. The Thunder's youthful core once again demonstrated the reckless spirit that propelled them to the top of the regular-season standings with a league-best 68–14 record, while Jalen Williams supported him with 24 points of his own.
However, things weren't always easy right from the start. Fueled by the enthusiasm of their home crowd, Denver came out firing, jumping out to an early 11-point lead in the first quarter. With 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, two-time MVP Nikola Jokić attempted to set the tone. However, the Thunder replied with merciless efficiency, undaunted by the burden of playing Game 7 away from home.
The second quarter was the pivotal moment. Oklahoma City completely changed the course of events with a 39–20 run, leading 60–46 at the half. From then on, everything was OKC. They silenced Ball Arena when they surged for 37 more points in the third quarter, increasing their lead to an almost insurmountable margin.
On both ends, the Nuggets had trouble finding rhythm. Despite Aaron Gordon's 8 points and 11 rebounds despite a sore hamstring, Denver's offense faltered due to 23 turnovers, which is a startling total that allowed the Thunder to score 37 points. The stifling, switch-heavy defense of Oklahoma City increased the pressure whenever possible, denying Denver easy looks and requiring hasty choices.
The result was evident by the time the fourth quarter arrived. Halfway through the last session, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault started removing starters while the visitors side quietly started to celebrate.
Denver's season, in which they once again had hopes of winning a championship, came to a heartbreaking conclusion with the loss. It's a turning point in the ascent of a fresh competitor for Oklahoma City.
The Thunder will now play the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals after this victory. The two teams are youthful, athletic, and motivated and are prepared to upset the NBA's power dynamics.
One thing became evident as the final buzzer sounded: the Thunder aren't merely a team of the future; they've arrived and are ready to make an impact right now.
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