Thunder bludgeon Nuggets in Game 7 blowout

OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 issues, Jalen Williams added 24 and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled into the Western Conference finals, beating the Denver Nuggets 125-93 in Game 7 on Sunday.

The top-seeded Thunder will host the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves beginning Tuesday. It’s Oklahoma City’s first travel to the convention finals since 2016.

Oklahoma City gained a league-best 68 video games within the common season. The Thunder misplaced to Dallas within the convention semifinals remaining 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 identify in 2023 and beat the LA Clippers in seven video games within the first spherical this 12 months.

Jokic had 20 issues, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the Nuggets on Sunday. Aaron Gordon, a key participant for Denver right through the playoffs who hit the winner in Game 1 in opposition to the Thunder, began regardless of a strained left hamstring. He had 8 issues and 11 rebounds in 25 mins.

The Thunder fell in the back of through 11 within the first quarter however took the lead early in the second one. Oklahoma City outscored Denver 39-20 in the second one duration to take a 60-46 lead on the wreck.

Gordon was once known as for a flagrant foul 1 for elbowing Gilgeous-Alexander within the face early within the 3rd quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander made each loose throws, after which Williams hit a brief jumper to present Oklahoma City a 66-46 lead.

Cason Wallace were given free on a quick wreck and dunked on Jokic to position the Thunder up 78-57, sparking delirious roars from the group. Oklahoma City led 97-72 on the finish of the 3rd quarter.