The Oklahoma City Thunder stormed into the NBA Western Conference finals with a statement performance on Sunday night, crushing the defending champions Denver Nuggets 125-93 in a decisive Game 7. Powered by a sensational 35-point performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder outclassed Denver in every department to seal a 4-3 series win and book a high-stakes showdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
After a tightly contested series full of twists and turns, Game 7 was anything but close. The top-seeded Thunder dominated the second half and left no room for a Nuggets comeback, turning the series decider into a one-sided show at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Shai Shines on Big Stage
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was electric from start to finish. The MVP finalist showed no signs of nerves, shooting efficiently and making the most of every possession. With 35 points, he set the tone for his team, drawing praise for his leadership and composure on the court.
“It feels good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said postgame. “Obviously our ultimate goal isn’t just the Western Conference finals – but we’ve got to go through there to get there. We put it together tonight.”
He wasn’t alone in the scoring column. Jalen Williams poured in 24 points, including a stunning second-quarter outburst where he dropped 17 points alone, shooting 8-of-11 from the field. That scoring burst helped the Thunder erase an early deficit and flip the momentum in their favor.
Thunder Turn Defense Into Offense
The story of the game wasn’t just the scoring, but Oklahoma City’s relentless defense. The Thunder forced Denver into 23 turnovers — 16 of those from live-ball situations — and converted them into a jaw-dropping 37 points. The swarming defense left the Nuggets flustered, unable to find rhythm or respond to OKC’s pace.
Denver’s interim head coach David Adelman admitted the turnover count proved fatal.
“The turnovers were a huge issue in this game obviously,” he said. “Sixteen steals off live-ball turnovers — that’s 37 points off your mistakes. You’re not going to win a playoff game like that.”
OKC PUT THE CLAMPS ON TO ADVANCE TO WCF
16 steals (most in a G7 since 1977)
FIVE players with 2+ steals
39 points off turnoversGame 1 vs. Timberwolves: Tuesday at 8:30pm/et on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/Kfy4yg1Cac
— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2025
Denver Collapse After Strong Start
The Nuggets actually started the game well, racing out to an 11-point lead in the first quarter and finishing the opening period ahead 26-21. Nikola Jokic led the scoring for Denver with 20 points, adding nine rebounds and seven assists. Christian Braun chipped in 19, while Jamal Murray contributed 13 points.
But Denver’s early momentum quickly faded as OKC exploded for 39 second-quarter points. The Thunder’s offensive avalanche was too much for the Nuggets to handle, and by halftime, the hosts had surged ahead 60-46.
From there, it was a masterclass in control and execution. Oklahoma City outscored Denver 37-26 in the third quarter, extending their lead beyond reach. With under four minutes left in the game, the Thunder led by an eye-watering 43 points at 125-82 before easing off in the final minutes.
Thunder Stay Locked In
The third quarter had been a concern throughout the series for Oklahoma City, but on this night, they came out with urgency and fire.
“We wanted to keep the pressure on coming out of the half, as we haven’t been great in the third quarter this series,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “We wanted to make that emphasis and come out stronger. We did so.”
Every Thunder rotation player contributed with energy, pushing the tempo, crashing the boards, and contesting every possession. The crowd fed off the team’s energy, roaring with every bucket as OKC ran away with it.
Adelman: “It’s Crushing”
Denver’s exit leaves more questions than answers for the reigning champs. After fighting back in Game 6 to force the decider, the Nuggets looked like they had momentum. But Adelman was left stunned by how quickly things unraveled after the first quarter.
“That was our opportunity to really take control of the game,” he said. “But they kept bringing new people in and they overwhelmed us. I’m crushed for the guys in there. The effort they gave to get into this position and to have the start that we wanted and then for it to go sideways so quickly… it’s crushing.”
The Thunder’s aggressive play and youthful energy overwhelmed Denver’s seasoned core, who struggled to keep pace as the game wore on.
With Game 1 of the Western Conference finals set for Tuesday, Oklahoma City now turns its focus to the Minnesota Timberwolves. But for now, it’s all about savoring a dominant win in a Game 7 that few will forget.
From the moment the Thunder took control in the second quarter, the decider was never in doubt. The energy in Paycom Center was electric, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the kind of performance that solidifies superstardom.
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