When the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder met for a winner‑take‑all Game 7 on Sunday, the stakes could not have been higher. Denver, playing without injured stars, hoped to stave off elimination; Oklahoma City aimed to reach the Western Conference finals for the first time in seven years. From the opening tip, the nuggets vs thunder battle shifted dramatically in OKC’s favor, ending with a 125–93 win for the Thunder at Paycom Center.
Thunder Break Game Open in Second Quarter
After a tightly contested first quarter—Denver led 26–21—the Thunder seized control during the final minutes of the second. An 18–5 run over the last 3:11 before halftime gave OKC a commanding 60–46 lead. Nuggets score troubles mounted as Denver committed 12 first‑half turnovers, which the Thunder turned into 12 points. By the third quarter, the margin reached 22 points, and the Nuggets’ interim coach, David Adelman, pulled his starters with the score at 72–50.
Dominance Across All Quarters
- Third Quarter Blowout: OKC continued its onslaught, leading 96–69 before early fourth‑quarter substitutions.
- Largest Lead: The score grew to 106–74, prompting both coaches to empty benches.
- Defensive Pressure: Thunder recorded 12 first‑half steals and scored 22 fast‑break points, compared to Denver’s nine.
- Paint Prowess: Oklahoma City outscored Denver 58–32 in the paint by halftime, finishing with a 72–44 advantage.
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Standout Performances Power Thunder to Victory
The Thunder rode balanced scoring and defense to their historic win:
- Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander: Led all scorers with 35 points, adding four assists, three rebounds, and three steals. His three‑pointer early in the fourth put the game out of reach.
- Jalen Williams: Tallied 24 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, thriving on transition plays off steal opportunities.
- Chet Holmgren: Notched a double‑double (12 points, 10 rebounds) before departing in the fourth quarter.
- Josh Hart: Registered a triple‑double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, illustrating OKC’s depth.
- Miles McBride & Mitchell Robinson: McBride contributed 10 points off the bench, while Robinson anchored the defense and dominated the boards.
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Nuggets’ Valorous Effort Falls Short
Playing on one leg, Aaron Gordon fought through a left hamstring strain, collecting eight points and 11 rebounds despite only four shot attempts. Nikola Jokic, Denver’s MVP finalist, posted 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in a losing effort. Christian Braun added 19 points, and Jamal Murray struggled to find rhythm, finishing with 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
Yet Denver’s turnovers and inability to match OKC’s physicality proved insurmountable. Their bench could not contain the Thunder’s offensive onslaught, and by late in the fourth, the franchise’s most lopsided playoff defeat was complete.
Next Up: A Showdown with Minnesota
The Thunder will now face the Minnesota Timberwolves, the sixth seed, in the Western Conference finals. Game 1 tips off Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City (ESPN). Minnesota’s strong defense and balanced attack will test the Thunder’s championship mettle. But after dismantling Denver in a blowout Game 7 Nuggets vs Thunder, OKC’s confidence is sky-high.
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