Thunder Overwhelm Nuggets 125-93 to Win Western Conference Semifinals

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 125-93 in a decisive Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals, advancing to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the conference finals. The Thunder's defense, exemplified by Alex Caruso's tenacious guarding of Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, was pivotal in disrupting Denver's offense, limiting Jokic's effectiveness and forcing turnovers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points, while the team's balanced scoring and cohesive eight-man rotation contributed to their success despite shooting just 30.8% from three-point range. The Nuggets struggled with key injuries, including Aaron Gordon's hamstring strain and Michael Porter Jr.'s ongoing issues, which hindered their ability to contend. Denver's heavy minutes for their core players highlighted fatigue concerns, reinforcing the need for deeper, more defensive-oriented support around Jokic. Oklahoma City's strategic focus on defense and efficient scoring in the paint ultimately overwhelmed the Nuggets, ending Denver's title defense aspirations.