With everything on the line, the Oklahoma City Thunder emerged as the winner in front of Game 7 fans.
In the semi-final Do-Or-Die game 7 of the Western Conference, OKC Thunder steamed the Denver Nuggets with a 125-93 victory.
Despite Aaron Gordon’s brave play attacked by hamstrings, the Thunder hit a 32-point beatdown and set up a West Finals meeting with the Minnesota Timberwolves for their right to enter the NBA Finals.
After enduring criticism from the poor exhibit in Game 6, Jalen Williams responded with a 24-point and 10-17 shooting, surprising and impressed NBA fans.
Certainly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has secured the 2024-25 MVP award himself, finished OKC with a team-high 35 points, moving 12-19 out of the field in 36 minutes.
But approaching the most important game of his NBA career, Thunder Superstar admitted that he had a butterfly in his stomach.
Statistics show that Oklahoma City had a disadvantage in Game 7 against the Denver team tested in combat led by Nicola Jokic. And on his post-match press, Gilgauss Alexander confessed he was worried until the victory on May 18 or a home duel.
“To be honest, just knowing what was on the line made me nervous,” the MVP frontrunner said.
“We have worked hard throughout the entire 82-game season, and we have worked hard all over the summer, and we can know that if we don’t bring in the A-game, it’s possible that everything could end.
“But I think the tension motivated me and helped me play today. It helped me give everything I could on both ends of the floor and I used it for my benefit.”
Given their persuasive years, losing Game 7 in front of the crowds in their home would have been a totally overwhelming experience for OKC.
Thunder solidified one of the best regular seasons of all time by winning 68 wins. And their claims as a title favorite looked robust after manipulating the Memphis Grizzlies via an opening round sweep.
Now, Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder are back in the franchise’s first Western Conference final since 2016, when Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were leading.
“It means a lot, especially for the city,” Gilgauss Alexander said of OKC reaching the West Final.
“They were very good all year round. They were behind us through good and evil. It feels like the league teams don’t have the home court advantage like we do.
“They really give us energy. We were a better team for them and behind us, to know that if we don’t bring it tonight, we could end up for them as well.
“It wasn’t fair, so we wanted to play for them too.”