Thunder host Nuggets in Western Conference semis

The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will face the defending champion Denver Nuggets and fellow MVP contender Nikola Jokic in the NBA Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder are well-rested after sweeping Memphis, while the Nuggets are coming off a demanding seven-game series against the Clippers. Both teams split their regular-season series 2-2, with Jokic delivering a standout 35-point performance in their last meeting. Oklahoma City finished with the league's best record and boasts a high-powered offense, but Denver counters with championship experience and strong defensive rebounding. Team representatives on both sides believe their MVP finalist is the best player in the series, highlighting the star power at play. The closely matched teams set the stage for a high-stakes, competitive series.