Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a commanding performance to crush the defending champion Denver Nuggets 125-93 in Game 7 of their playoff semi-final series, securing a place in the Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
After Denver forced a decisive seventh game with a win on Thursday, the Thunder responded in emphatic fashion at home, overpowering the visitors from start to finish.
Star guard and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge, pouring in 35 points to guide Oklahoma City to their first Conference finals appearance since 2016.
Denver, led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, struggled to find rhythm. Jokic managed just 20 points and was stifled for most of the night by a relentless Thunder defense.
Oklahoma City seized a 60-46 lead at halftime and never looked back, extending their advantage in the second half with strong contributions from Jalen Williams, who added 24 points.
The result leaves Denver with a 4-3 record in Game 7s over the past seven years—more than any other team in that span—but their title defense ends here in disappointing fashion.
Meanwhile, the Thunder’s emphatic win sets up a tantalizing Western Conference finals showdown with the Timberwolves, who also reached the round for the first time in years. The series tips off on Wednesday, 21 May, with Oklahoma hosting Game 1 at 02:30 BST.
In the East, the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks are battling for a spot in the NBA Finals. With Oklahoma City, Indiana, and Minnesota all chasing a maiden championship, and the Knicks not having lifted the trophy since 1973, the stage is set for the NBA to crown a new champion for the first time in over half a century.