NBA playoffs results and takeaways: How Thunder wore down Nuggets in Game 7

The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a commanding victory over the undermanned Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of their playoff series, cruising to a 125-93 win and earning a spot in the Western Conference finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams spearheaded the Thunder’s offense, scoring 35 and 24 points respectively, while the team’s defense held Denver to a dismal 39.3% shooting from the field.

Denver’s Aaron Gordon, dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring injury, started the game but was visibly hampered, managing just eight points and 11 rebounds in 24 minutes. His reduced mobility limited Denver’s offensive flow, a factor that Oklahoma City capitalized on to stifle the Nuggets’ attack.

With this victory, the Thunder will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals. The Timberwolves secured their place by defeating the Golden State Warriors 4-1 in their series. The much-anticipated showdown between Oklahoma City and Minnesota begins Tuesday in Oklahoma City.

Here are the key takeaways from Game 7:

Impact of Gordon’s Injury

Denver’s chances of staying competitive effectively evaporated in the first quarter, largely due to two factors: their inability to connect on corner 3-pointers and Gordon’s compromised mobility. Throughout the series, Gordon’s secondary ballhandling proved crucial, allowing Jamal Murray to play off the ball while Denver initiated its offense through him. However, with Gordon clearly limited on Sunday, the Nuggets struggled to establish rhythm, and Oklahoma City took full advantage, smothering Murray and Nikola Jokić.

The Nuggets generated several open looks from beyond the arc, particularly in the corners, but they failed to convert those opportunities. The Thunder, recognizing Denver’s shooting woes, packed the paint and effectively shut down any inside scoring. The combination of Gordon’s diminished role and Denver’s cold shooting spelled doom for the Nuggets, as they ran out of steam early in the game.

Alex Caruso’s Defensive Masterclass

On paper, Alex Caruso’s Game 7 stat line — 11 points, three assists, and three steals — may not appear extraordinary. Yet, his defensive performance against Nikola Jokić proved to be the pivotal factor in the Thunder’s dominant win.

From the moment Caruso entered the game, he made it his mission to disrupt Jokić’s rhythm, relentlessly hounding him whether he had the ball or not. With Gordon compromised, Denver leaned heavily on Jokić, but Caruso’s defensive tenacity thwarted that plan. Jokić finished with 20 points but made just five field goals and committed five turnovers as Caruso’s aggressive defense disrupted Denver’s offensive flow.

Caruso’s intensity set the tone for a Thunder defense that forced 21 turnovers, converting those mistakes into 32 points on the other end. Though he was the smallest player on the floor, his impact loomed largest, and Oklahoma City now advances to the Western Conference finals as a result. it.