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The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from the Western Conference Finals after a thrilling comeback victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points, helping secure a 112-105 win in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City now leads the best-of-seven series three games to two.
For much of the game, the Nuggets appeared to be in control, with Nikola Jokic showcasing his skills and keeping Denver ahead. However, the Thunder mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 34-19. Lu Dort played a crucial role, hitting three consecutive three-pointers to cut Denver's lead to just two points.
Jalen Williams added to the momentum with a key three-pointer, and Gilgeous-Alexander sealed the game with another three-pointer, extending the lead to 109-103. Despite Jokic's efforts, scoring 13 points in the final quarter, the Nuggets struggled with their shooting, making only one of 15 attempts outside of Jokic's contributions.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his team's growth and resilience, stating, "We're a better team today than we were at the beginning of the series." The Thunder's ability to adapt and perform under pressure has been evident throughout the series, as they have outscored the Nuggets 63-37 in the fourth quarters of the last two games.
The series continues with Game 6, where the Thunder will have the opportunity to advance to the Western Conference Finals.