Oklahoma City Thunder run away from the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 reach Western Conference finals

Oklahoma City – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 125-93 home win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of their National Basketball Association Western Conference semi-final series on May 18, but was quick to hail teammate Jalen Williams.

The Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016. Oklahoma City open the conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on May 20.

After scoring just six points in their May 15 Game 6 loss, Williams bounced back in a big way, pouring in 24 points in 10-of-17 shooting. The 26-year-old Canadian guard Gilgeous-Alexander was 12 of 19 from the floor with four assists, three steals and no turnovers.

“He (Williams) was amazing. He wouldn’t have played the way he played today last year, I know that 100 per cent. To see him take that step forward is a really proud moment,” said Gilgeous-Alexander.

The 24-year-old Williams emerged as the Thunder’s second option last season, but failed to replicate his regular-season heights in the play-offs as the West’s top seeds lost 4-2 to the Dallas Mavericks in the second round.

This campaign, the forward has raised his game even further, averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals per game, earning him his first All-Star nod. But, again, there were questions about his play-off performances, which were compounded by his Game 6 showing.

Williams told ESPN: “You never know how many Game 7s you’re going to get. It’s an opportunity to be great. So, I was just more excited about playing and getting that opportunity.”

Early on, it looked like the Nuggets were carrying over the momentum from their Game 6 win. Denver led by double digits with a minute left in the first quarter before the