The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame pre-game jitters and a determined Denver Nuggets team to secure a decisive victory in Game 7 of their Western Conference second-round playoff series, winning 104-91. The Thunder lit up the court with breathtaking individual displays of excellence as well as dynamic collective cohesion. This success launched them into the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016.
In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander’s insights, rookie Jalen Williams contributed significantly to the Thunder’s success. Scoring 18 points in total, he poured in an astounding 11 in the first half. To his credit, Williams took full advantage, hitting all five of his field-goal attempts over that stretch. His ability to penetrate Denver’s defense was key. With him leading the charge, the Thunder flexed their offensive virtuosity, averaging 1.50 points per possession. Williams expressed his own mix of emotions before the game, saying, “You never know how many Game 7s you’re going to get.”
The Thunder’s offense really took off when Jalen Williams cut through Denver’s zone defense with ease. This was the strategy that had been their great bugaboo all series long. His mean streak made him an elite scorer, opening up time and space for the rest of his linemates. This energizing strategy provided Oklahoma City with the momentum to….
On the defensive end, Alex Caruso was an important piece in Chicago’s first line of defense against Denver’s superstar center Nikola Jokic. Despite being at a height and weight disadvantage, Caruso effectively fronted Jokic, making it difficult for him to receive the ball. His work on his own was aided by support and instruction from teammates such as Chet Holmgren. Caruso remarked on the importance of teamwork in his defensive strategy: “It’s a lot of hard work,” he said, emphasizing the collective effort required to contain an elite player like Jokic.
Even with how well the Thunder were playing, the Nuggets didn’t flinch right away in this game. Aaron Gordon, playing through a Grade 2 hamstring strain suffered at the end of Game 6, made a significant impact by scoring a three-point play that put Denver ahead 21-10 midway through the first quarter. His desire to make an impact even when hurt demonstrated his unselfishness and accord to the team.
As the game went on, Oklahoma City turned up the juice. As a result, they pulled off a stunning 18-5 run in the last minutes of the first half, taking an overwhelming lead of 60-46 by halftime. This wave of momentum highlighted their potency to turn defensive stands into buckets on the other end.
Though his performance was anything but that, Jokic’s numbers were deceptively quiet. He averaged only 103.8 touches per 100 possessions, the lowest of any playoff game in his career. The Thunder’s defensive strategy successfully limited his impact and stifled Denver’s offensive flow.
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