Oklahoma City, OK. (WE) — The Oklahoma City Thunder have officially punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook era. In a decisive 125-93 win over the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, on Sunday night, the Thunder reminded the basketball world just how dangerous they are — especially when their top-ranked defense is locked in.
With this victory in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Oklahoma City advances to face the surging Minnesota Timberwolves in a highly anticipated matchup that begins Tuesday at Paycom Center.
Thunderstorm in Game 7
The Nuggets started strong, opening up a 21-10 lead late in the first quarter. But that was the last time the defending champs looked comfortable. From the final 50 seconds of the first to the 9:36 mark of the fourth quarter, the Thunder unleashed a 90-48 run, a stretch that completely demoralized Denver. The Nuggets’ starters were benched with nearly a full quarter to play — the white flag had been waved.
At the heart of this dominant performance was none other than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The All-NBA guard was spectacular once again, posting a game-high 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting, with 3-of-4 from deep, and nearly perfect from the line (8-of-9). He added four assists, three steals, a block, and zero turnovers in 36 minutes — the kind of efficient masterpiece that cements a superstar’s status.
“[He’s] special,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of his teammate Alex Caruso in a postgame interview with Lisa Salters on ESPN. But make no mistake — Shai was the special one Sunday night.
The Carushow Was Real
Though Gilgeous-Alexander was the star on the stat sheet, it was Alex Caruso who completely flipped the script of Game 7 with his defensive brilliance.
Entering off the bench in the first quarter, Caruso immediately set the tone, pressuring passing lanes, disrupting Denver’s offense, and forcing live-ball turnovers. He logged three steals, was a game-high +40 in just 26 minutes, and his defensive impact went far beyond the box score.
“I wondered if Coach Mark Daigneault would start him,” one analyst noted. “He didn’t. But it didn’t matter. Caruso changed everything the moment he stepped on the floor.”
Caruso’s defensive assignment? None other than Nikola Jokić, the three-time MVP. Though undersized at 6-foot-5 and 186 pounds, Caruso battled Denver’s 7-footer with relentless energy, denying entry passes and making Jokić work for every touch. The Nuggets’ offense, typically elite with Jokić on the floor, fell apart.
Daigneault later explained the unorthodox strategy: “If you’re going to put a 6-5 guard on Jokić, you need relentless help and entry pressure, and our guys executed the hell out of that.”
Oklahoma City’s defensive unit — with Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, and Caruso — suffocated Denver. Wallace himself finished +38 in 29 minutes.
Denver Self-Destructs
The number that encapsulates the Nuggets’ collapse? 22 turnovers, including 16 live-ball giveaways, which led to 37 Thunder points. You just can’t win like that — not against the best defense in the NBA.
“We got overwhelmed,” said David Adelman, Denver’s interim coach. “They kept bringing fresh legs and the turnovers killed us.”
Jamal Murray struggled badly, scoring 13 points on 6-for-16 shooting, including 1-for-8 from deep. Michael Porter Jr. was quiet as well, finishing with just six points. Even Jokić, who had 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, turned the ball over five times.
Adelman didn’t blame injuries, though he acknowledged the toll.
Aaron Gordon, playing through a Grade 2 hamstring strain, contributed 8 points and 11 rebounds in 25 gritty minutes.
“What he played with today, I don’t know many people that would even attempt that,” Adelman said. “He was extremely close to not playing, and it was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen.”
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Thunder Depth Wins Out
One of the major storylines of this series was the Thunder’s depth. While Denver’s rotation thinned out due to injuries and fatigue, OKC stayed fresh.
Daigneault rotated skillfully, playing small and fast when needed. Big men Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams were sparingly used. Instead, wings and guards swarmed Denver, switching, trapping, and creating chaos.
Despite losing the size battle on the boards at times, Oklahoma City made up for it with hustle plays, offensive rebounds, and sheer defensive dominance.
Respect for the Champs
Even in defeat, Daigneault had nothing but praise for the defending champions.
“They’re a bunch of zombies,” he said. “We have the ultimate respect for that team. They made us better.”
Denver had already survived a brutal seven-game series with the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. By the time they reached Game 7 in Oklahoma City, their core was bruised, fatigued, and depleted. But they still pushed one of the league’s deepest, most energetic squads to the brink.
Timberwolves Await
Now, the Thunder turn their attention to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who themselves are coming off a monumental series win over the Phoenix Suns and a dominant sweep of the Golden State Warriors.
Led by Anthony Edwards, Minnesota presents another defensive gauntlet. With Rudy Gobert anchoring the paint and a cast of long, switchable defenders, this will be a chess match between two of the NBA’s top-tier defenses.
Game 1 tips off Tuesday in Oklahoma City, and it promises to be a battle of wills, tempo, and two-way excellence.
What’s Next for Denver?
The Nuggets will enter the offseason facing some difficult questions. Depth was a serious issue this postseason. Injuries to Gordon, Porter, and the illness affecting Murray exposed just how reliant Denver is on its core.
There are rumblings that the front office, led by GM Calvin Booth, will need to tweak the bench and bring in more shooting.
Denver’s title window remains open — especially with Jokić still in his prime — but the West is not getting any easier. Teams like Oklahoma City and Minnesota have youth, depth, and athleticism on their side.
Thunder Building a New Legacy
The Thunder’s rise this season has been meteoric. After years of patient rebuilding under executive Sam Presti, Oklahoma City has blossomed into a complete team — full of defenders, shooters, and a bonafide MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
With rookies and role players buying in, and a defensive scheme that suffocates opponents, the Thunder aren’t just ahead of schedule — they’re here now.
Caruso’s arrival at the trade deadline, in particular, was a masterstroke. A former champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, his defensive IQ and leadership have elevated this squad’s ceiling. And with young talents like Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Lu Dort (who finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting), this team’s future is as bright as any in the league.
The Bottom Line
Game 7 was not just a win — it was a statement. The Thunder didn’t just beat the defending champs. They demolished them, leaving no doubt about their readiness to contend for a championship.
As the conference finals begin, the NBA’s youngest team stands tall — battle-tested, hungry, and ready to take the next step.
Oklahoma City is no longer rebuilding. The future is now.
Next Game:
Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder
Paycom Center, OKC
Tuesday Night
Watch on ESPN
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