Oklahoma City, Oklahoma—The Thunder put on a commanding performance in the fourth quarter, defeating the Denver Nuggets 112-105 in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 31 points, helping his team secure a crucial victory and take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Trailing by nine points with eight and a half minutes remaining, the Thunder mounted a remarkable comeback, outscoring the Nuggets 34-19 in the final quarter. This victory puts Oklahoma City one win away from advancing to the Western Conference Finals, with a decisive Game 6 scheduled in Denver.
The game unfolded dramatically, especially in the closing moments. Despite a stellar performance from Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who recorded 44 points and 15 rebounds, the Nuggets faltered down the stretch. Oklahoma City’s defense tightened, and Luguentz Dort emerged as a key player, sinking three crucial three-pointers during the Thunder’s late run.
The Nuggets endured a tough shooting drought, missing nine consecutive shots and committing two turnovers in a pivotal stretch. Jalen Williams tied the game at 92-92 with 5:42 left, followed shortly after by a layup from Chet Holmgren that leveled the score at 94-94 after a series of hustle plays from the Thunder.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Dort’s tenacity, emphasizing his ability to respond under pressure. “There’s just a special thing about him,” Daigneault remarked. “He’s always going to compete.”
Denver’s scoring was stifled during a critical period, with Jokic managing to tie the game with just over three minutes left. However, Oklahoma City quickly regained momentum. Williams responded to Jokic’s fadeaway with a three-pointer, followed by another from Gilgeous-Alexander that sealed the game for the Thunder.
The fourth quarter has been a significant turning point in this series, with Oklahoma City outpacing Denver 63-37 over the last two games.
The Nuggets relied heavily on a limited rotation, with three players logging over 40 minutes each, raising concerns about fatigue late in the game. Denver interim coach David Adelman acknowledged this challenge, stating it was his responsibility to manage player fatigue effectively.
While Jokic shone in this game, the Nuggets needed additional contributions to secure a win, according to Adelman. Jamal Murray added 28 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s balanced scoring, where six players reached double figures.
Oklahoma City displayed resilience, closing the first half with a surge that reduced an 11-point deficit to just two. This momentum carried them into the second half and ultimately paved the way for their decisive win.
With Game 6 approaching, the Thunder will look to maintain their momentum and secure their place in the next round, while the Nuggets will need to regroup and find answers to their late-game struggles.