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The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a crucial 92-87 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals on Sunday (May 11), tying the series at two games each. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists, demonstrating resilience after a tough performance in Game Three.
The game, held in Denver, was marked by a slow start for both teams, with the Thunder leading 17-8 at the end of the first quarter. This tied for the lowest combined first-quarter points in NBA playoff history. Despite trailing by six points entering the fourth quarter, the Thunder's bench players, including Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, sparked a 10-0 run to regain the lead.
The Nuggets struggled offensively, with Nikola JokiΔ scoring 27 points but shooting only 7-for-22 from the field. As reported by Yahoo Sports, JokiΔ's performance was hindered by Oklahoma City's defense, led by Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to bounce back, saying, "He's the last guy you worry about bouncing back." The Thunder's depth proved crucial, with their bench outscoring Denver's significantly, contributing to the victory.
The series now shifts back to Oklahoma City for Game Five, scheduled for Tuesday (May 13), where both teams will look to gain the upper hand in this tightly contested matchup.