#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google
The young guns are growing up — fast. The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a fourth-quarter masterclass to take control of their Western Conference Semifinals series, storming past the Denver Nuggets to claim a crucial 3-2 series lead. With their backs against the wall heading into the final frame, the Thunder outscored the defending champs with energy, precision, and poise beyond their years.
This wasn’t just a late-game surge — it was a statement. The moment was huge, the lights were bright, and the pressure was sky-high. But OKC? They never flinched.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again proved he’s one of the league’s coldest closers, calmly taking over down the stretch. Whether it was a tough mid-range pull-up, a silky floater in traffic, or a perfectly timed assist, SGA had his fingerprints all over the fourth quarter. He finished the night with another efficient scoring performance, continuing a postseason run that’s made him a true MVP-caliber force.
But this win wasn’t about one man — it was a total team effort. Jalen Williams came alive late, slashing to the rim and hitting clutch jumpers, while Chet Holmgren anchored the defense and showed why he’s already one of the most impactful bigs in the playoffs. His length disrupted Denver’s offensive rhythm, especially in the paint, where he challenged shots without fouling and grabbed critical rebounds.
Let’s not forget the bench, either. Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins provided a huge spark, knocking down timely threes and defending with purpose. Every Thunder player who stepped on the floor brought something, and that depth has become a major storyline in this series.
Defensively, the Thunder turned up the intensity in the fourth. They held the Nuggets to one of their lowest-scoring quarters of the postseason, forcing tough shots, crashing the glass, and limiting Nikola Jokić’s touches in key moments. They threw different looks at Denver’s MVP, doubling him selectively and rotating with precision, closing out hard on shooters and communicating like a veteran squad.
What makes this performance so impressive is the context. This is one of the youngest teams in the league, going toe-to-toe with the defending champions in the conference semifinals — and out-executing them late in a pivotal Game 5. It’s a credit to head coach Mark Daigneault, who’s kept his team composed, adaptable, and hungry every step of the way.
Now, with a 3-2 lead and a chance to close out the series, the Thunder are one win away from the Western Conference Finals — a place few expected them to be this soon. But with the way they’ve been playing, nothing feels too early anymore.
The future in OKC? It’s already here. And it’s fearless. 💥
Game 6 looms large. But for now, the Thunder ride the momentum of a dominant fourth quarter and a commanding win, inching closer to something special.
#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google
