The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from the Western Conference Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 31 points and led a late surge as the Thunder held off a monster performance from Nikola Jokic to beat the Denver Nuggets 112-105 in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series. The win gives Oklahoma City a 3-2 series lead, with a chance to clinch the series on Thursday night in Denver.
Gilgeous-Alexander shot 12 of 23 from the field and bounced back from a slow start to pace a balanced Thunder attack that saw six players score in double figures. Jalen Williams added 18 points, including a clutch three-pointer with 1:18 left to give Oklahoma City a 106-103 lead. Gilgeous-Alexander followed with a dagger triple with 48 seconds remaining to push the lead to six and seal the win.
Oklahoma City had to withstand a sensational effort from Jokic, who finished with 44 points and 15 rebounds while making 17 of 25 shots. The reigning MVP carried the Nuggets offensively, as no other Denver player scored more than 13 points aside from Jamal Murray, who added 28 but struggled mightily with efficiency, hitting just 10 of 27 attempts.
The Thunder stormed out to a 12-2 lead, looking poised for another runaway win like their blowout in Game 2. Denver missed eight of its first nine shots, with its lone make coming off a Jokic putback. But the Nuggets rallied in the second quarter, building an 11-point lead before the Thunder closed strong to cut the deficit to 56-54 at the half.
Denver seemed to regain control in the third quarter behind Murray’s 13 points and another 12 from Jokic, taking an 86-78 lead into the fourth. But the Thunder weren’t done.
Lu Dort, who had just three points through three quarters, erupted with three quick 3-pointers in a two-minute span to slash Denver’s lead to 92-90. Jokic briefly tied the game at 103 with a deep fadeaway triple, but Oklahoma City responded with a composed closing stretch.
The Thunder outscored the Nuggets 34-19 in the final frame, leaning on timely shot-making and stout defense to snatch back momentum and move within one game of advancing.
Game 6 is set for Thursday at Ball Arena, where the defending champion Nuggets now face elimination on their home floor.
