Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The Thunder rallied late to secure a thrilling 112-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals Tuesday night, putting them just one win away from advancing to the conference finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a standout for Oklahoma City, contributing 31 points as the team surged in the final quarter, outscoring Denver 34-19.
With under nine minutes left in the game and the Thunder trailing by nine points, Oklahoma City ignited a comeback that left fans on the edge of their seats. A pivotal defensive surge and Luguentz Dort’s sharp shooting from beyond the arc were instrumental in turning the tide. The Thunder capitalized on Denver’s struggling offense, during which the Nuggets went over seven minutes without a field goal, missing nine consecutive shots.
Oklahoma City managed to tie the game at 92-92 after Jalen Williams hit two crucial free throws. Following that, Dort’s hustle helped set up a layup for Chet Holmgren, bringing the score to 94-94. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Dort’s relentless spirit, saying, “There’s just a special thing about him. He’s always going to stand back up.”
Both teams exchanged leads as the game entered its final minutes. Nikola Jokic’s exceptional performance kept the Nuggets in the game, as he scored a remarkable 44 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. However, as the clock wound down, it was the Thunder’s composure that shone through. After Jokic leveled the score with a fadeaway three-pointer, Williams quickly answered with a three of his own, followed by another from Gilgeous-Alexander, sealing their fate at the free-throw line.
“Every shot felt like it was about time,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, reflecting on the game-winning sequence. His coach noted the growth he observed in Gilgeous-Alexander as pressure mounted, allowing him to perform under fire.
Oklahoma City’s late-game heroics mark a trend, as the Thunder have outscored Denver 63-37 in the fourth quarters of the past two games. This resurgence has raised questions about the Nuggets’ endurance, especially given that they utilized only eight players, three of whom logged over 40 minutes. Denver’s interim coach, David Adelman, acknowledged this concern, saying, “You could say it’s fatigue. … If it is fatigue, that’s on me.”
Despite the loss, Jokic’s efforts were commendable, shooting 17 for 25 from the field and nailing five three-pointers. Jamal Murray also contributed significantly with 28 points. However, Adelman emphasized the need for more support around his star player, stating, “We had a great performance from Nikola; we just have to have a few other guys have a game.”
The Thunder showcased a balanced offensive attack, with six players scoring in double digits. Williams led with 18 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein added 15. The team’s resurgence in the second half was complemented by a strong finish to the first half, where they scored nine consecutive points to trim Denver’s 11-point lead to just two.
As the Thunder prepare for Game 6 in Denver, the stakes could not be higher. A victory would mark a significant achievement for Oklahoma City, setting the stage for a potential playoff run.