Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to Western Conference Finals
Oklahoma City is no longer a team in development, but already a formidable force. Led by a magnificent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (35 points), the Thunder crushed the Denver Nuggets (125-93) in a perfectly controlled Game 7 this Sunday evening. With this victory, the Oklahoma franchise advances to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016.
Thunder overturns Denver and makes a statement
After trailing by 11 points early in the game, the Thunder quickly responded by dominating the second quarter (39-20) to take the lead at halftime (60-46). What followed was a collective masterpiece. Jalen Williams added 24 points, while Cason Wallace electrified the crowd with a spectacular dunk over Nikola Jokic.
The Thunder, the best team in the regular season (68 wins, 14 losses), confirms their rise to power and incredible maturity despite their young age. « There aren’t many games you wake up knowing you’ll remember for the rest of your life. A Game 7 is one of them, » emphasized their coach Mark Daigneault. « The way they performed today was very impressive. »
SGA ET OKC SE QUALIFIENT EN FINALES DE CONFERENCE OUEST !
⚸️ 35 points
⚸️ 4 assists
⚸️ 3 steals
⚸️ 12-19 au shotGame 1 vs. MIN : Nuit de mardi à 2H30 🍿
pic.twitter.com/kI8QXoL0Rc— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) May 19, 2025
Denver helpless, Jokic too isolated
Nikola Jokic tried to resist with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, but the Nuggets, 2023 NBA champions, never seemed able to compete in this elimination game. Aaron Gordon, hampered by a hamstring injury, still insisted on playing but was limited to 8 points in 24 minutes. « What he did today, I don’t know many people who would even try to play in these conditions, » praised interim coach David Adelman.
Oklahoma City, who will host Minnesota starting Tuesday for the conference finals, seems ready to take the next step. « We’re better now than at the start of the series, and that’s thanks to them (Denver). They pushed us to the limit, » concluded Daigneault, who played Ousmane Dieng in the final 4 minutes.
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