Thunder dominate Nuggets to return to their 1st Western Convention Finals since 2016

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 factors, Jalen Williams added 24 and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder rolled into the Western Convention finals, beating the Denver Nuggets 125-93 in Recreation 7 on Sunday.

The highest-seeded Thunder will host the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves beginning Tuesday. It’s Oklahoma Metropolis’s first journey to the convention finals since 2016.

Oklahoma Metropolis gained a league-best 68 video games within the common season. The Thunder misplaced to Dallas within the convention semifinals final 12 months because the No. 1 seed within the West.

This time, the Thunder needed to get previous three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and a Denver squad that gained the NBA title in 2023 and beat the Los Angeles Clippers in seven video games within the first spherical this 12 months.

Jokic had 20 factors, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the Nuggets on Sunday. Aaron Gordon, a key participant for Denver all through the playoffs who hit the winner in Recreation 1 in opposition to the Thunder, began regardless of a strained left hamstring. He had eight factors and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes.

The Thunder fell behind by 11 within the first quarter, however took the lead early within the second. Oklahoma Metropolis outscored Denver 39-20 within the second interval to take a 60-46 lead on the break.

Gordon was known as for a flagrant-1 foul for elbowing Gilgeous-Alexander within the face early within the third quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander made each free throws, after which Williams hit a brief jumper to present Oklahoma Metropolis a 66-46 lead.

Cason Wallace bought unfastened on a quick break and dunked on Jokic to place the Thunder up 78-57, sparking delirious roars from the gang. Oklahoma Metropolis led 97-72 on the finish of the third quarter.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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