Basketball NBA Game Recap May 18th 2025

Thunder Run Away from Nuggets in Game 7 Blowout

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered another playoff masterpiece with 35 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder overwhelmed the Denver Nuggets 125-93 in Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal showdown. The win sends the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016, where they will host the Minnesota Timberwolves starting Tuesday.

After a dismal Game 6, Jalen Williams bounced back in style, scoring 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting and sparking the Thunder during a crucial second-quarter run. Gilgeous-Alexander was nearly flawless, hitting 12-of-19 shots with three steals and zero turnovers. The duo combined to power Oklahoma City through a 37-point third quarter that broke the game wide open.

Thunder Flip the Script After Early Deficit

Denver started hot, briefly holding a double-digit lead late in the first quarter. But once the Thunder’s bench unit ignited a 13-0 run spanning two quarters, the momentum completely shifted. A key 3-pointer from Luguentz Dort midway through the second gave the Thunder the lead for good, and back-to-back turnovers by the Nuggets led to easy transition buckets to push the margin to 60-46 at halftime.

The Nuggets never recovered. Denver finished just 10-of-45 from three-point range and committed 23 turnovers, which the Thunder turned into a staggering 37 points. Nikola Jokic managed only 20 points on limited touches, thanks to the gritty perimeter defense of Alex Caruso, who logged a game-high +40 plus/minus. Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon played through a hamstring injury and contributed eight points and 11 rebounds in 24 minutes.

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Game Preview: Thunder vs. Timberwolves

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