Just when everyone was expecting a thrilling Game 7, the Thunder ended the last three minutes of the first half with an 18-5 run and never looked back, ultimately blowing out the Nuggets 125-93.
OKC put Alex Caruso on future Hall of Famer Nikola Jokic, and their aggressive defense paid off brilliantly as Denver committed 20 turnovers. An injured Aaron Gordon did all that he could with eight points and 11 rebounds, while Jamal Murray went 1-of-8 from the three-point line and finished with just 13 points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points, and Jalen Williams bounced back from a disappointing Game 6 with 24.
Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to OKC’s victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops 35 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK as THE THUNDER ELIMINATE THE NUGGETS & ADVANCE TO THE WCF 😤 pic.twitter.com/ySudmYPXuE
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) May 18, 2025
SGA POWERS OKC TO WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS!!!!
⛈️ 35 points
⛈️ 4 assists
⛈️ 3 steals
⛈️ 12-19 from the floorGame 1 vs. MIN: Tuesday at 8:30pm/et on ESPN 🍿 pic.twitter.com/7E3wJp17cE
— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2025
Imagine telling these two, nine years ago while they were grinding in the G League, that they’d be heading to an NBA Western Conference Finals together one day. pic.twitter.com/uJPQiGC8ZO
— Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) May 18, 2025
Caruso becoming a Jokic stopper is one final knife to the heart for Lakers fans
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) May 18, 2025
I guess Jamal Murray doesn’t feel like being the best player ever today. That’s only reserved for the Lakers.
— Barry (@BarryOnHere) May 18, 2025
I just absolutely can’t believe the game Jamal Murray is having. A complete non factor.
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) May 18, 2025
Time to retire the Jamal Murray “playoff riser” narrative. He’s not that guy
— Patty Graham (@PattyGr29702276) May 18, 2025
Hot take but not..
OKC fans are louder than Knick fans.
Happy Sunday!— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) May 18, 2025
Nikola Jokic this playoffs:
1st in points
1st in rebounds
1st in assists
1st in steals
1st in stocks
1st in double-doubles
1st in triple-doubles
1st in field goalsInsane run. pic.twitter.com/VHSdJ04Ave
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 18, 2025
The NBA will have seven different champions in seven seasons for the first time in league history.
2019 – Raptors
2020 – Lakers
2021 – Bucks
2022 – Warriors
2023 – Nuggets
2024 – Celtics
2025 – Thunder/Timberwolves/Pacers/Knicks— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau.bsky.social) May 18, 2025 at 11:48 PM
I think it hinges on whether the Wolves can keep their dumb turnovers to a minimum. The Thunder are both really good at forcing turnovers and creating points off of them, so the Wolves absolutely can’t be as careless with the ball as they have been. If they can do that, I’d call it a coin flip.
— Rory from MN (@roryofthecross.bsky.social) May 19, 2025 at 12:15 AM
The healthier team advanced in each of the four conference semifinals.
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) May 18, 2025
Basketball, NBA, Nuggets, Social Media, Thunder, Alex Caruso, Denver Nuggets, Jalen Williams, Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
