OKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets: Complete Game Recap & Key Player Stats
Inside a roaring Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, the Thunder delivered one of their most complete postseason performances in recent memory, routing the Denver Nuggets 125-93 on May 18, 2025.
Behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35 points, Jalen Williams’ 24 points, and Chet Holmgren’s two-way brilliance, OKC clinched its first trip to the Western Conference Finals since 2016 — a symbolic passing of the torch in the West.
The Numbers Behind the Victory
|
Category |
Denver Nuggets |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|---|---|---|
|
Final Score |
93 |
125 |
|
FG % |
39.3 % |
49 % |
|
3PT % |
22.7 % |
30.8 % |
|
Rebounds |
47 |
44 |
|
Assists |
20 |
28 |
|
Turnovers |
23 |
10 |
|
Points in Paint |
42 |
64 |
|
Fast Break Points |
14 |
27 |
Key Player Stats
OKC Thunder – Key Performers
|
Player |
MIN |
PTS |
FG |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
36 |
35 |
12-19 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
Jalen Williams |
33 |
24 |
10-17 |
5 |
7 |
1 |
— |
|
Chet Holmgren |
28 |
13 |
4-9 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Isaiah Hartenstein |
17 |
10 |
5-7 |
7 |
1 |
— |
— |
|
Luguentz Dort |
17 |
6 |
2-7 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
— |
Denver Nuggets – Key Performers
|
Player |
MIN |
PTS |
FG |
REB |
AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nikola Jokić |
37 |
20 |
5-9 |
9 |
7 |
|
Michael Porter Jr. |
33 |
19 |
7-14 |
4 |
3 |
|
Jamal Murray |
35 |
13 |
6-16 |
1 |
2 |
|
Aaron Gordon |
25 |
8 |
2-4 |
11 |
0 |
|
Christian Braun |
33 |
19 |
7-14 |
4 |
3 |
Tactical Battle: How OKC Outclassed Denver?
- Early Pressure on Jokić: Double-teams forced the three-time MVP to give up the ball, reducing Denver’s offensive rhythm.
- Defensive Rotations: Holmgren and Dort sealed driving lanes, while Caruso and Williams created turnovers.
- Transition Execution: OKC outscored Denver 27-14 in fast breaks — a decisive edge.
- Unselfish Offense: Twenty-eight Thunder assists illustrated team chemistry and court vision.
Head coach Mark Daigneault summarized it best:
“They played with purpose, poise, and maturity beyond their years. That’s what champions look like in the making.”
Game Flow: From Setback to Domination
Denver opened strong, leading 26-21 after the first quarter. But in the second, OKC unleashed a 39-20 run, led by SGA’s mid-range mastery and Jalen Williams’ slashing. By halftime, the Thunder held a 14-point lead and never looked back.
A flagrant foul on Aaron Gordon early in the third ignited the crowd. Moments later, rookie Cason Wallace posterized Jokić on a fast break, sending the arena into a frenzy and stretching the lead to 21. The Nuggets never recovered.
Series Recap: Thunder’s Road to the Final Four
|
Game |
Winner |
Score |
Leading Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Nuggets |
121-119 |
Nikola Jokić (42 PTS) |
|
2 |
Thunder |
149-106 |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (34 PTS) |
|
3 |
Nuggets |
113-104 |
Jalen Williams (32 PTS) |
|
4 |
Thunder |
92-87 |
Jokić (27 PTS) |
|
5 |
Thunder |
112-105 |
Jokić (44 PTS) |
|
6 |
Nuggets |
119-107 |
SGA (32 PTS) |
|
7 |
Thunder |
125-93 |
SGA (35 PTS) |
Oklahoma City closed the series with three double-digit wins in their final four games. Denver’s defending champion aura couldn’t withstand the relentless pace of OKC’s young core.
Big Picture: What This Means for Both Teams
- For OKC Thunder: The league’s youngest roster (average age 24) continues its meteoric rise. SGA and Holmgren form a duo built for long-term dominance.
- For Denver Nuggets: This loss marks a turning point. Front-office decisions on depth and defense will define their 2026 trajectory.
Most Common Queries
Q1: When did the Thunder vs Nuggets Game 7 take place?
A1: On May 18, 2025, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Q2: Who was the top scorer of Game 7?
A2: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 35 points on 63 % shooting.
Q3: Which team advances after this match?
A3: The Thunder move on to the Western Conference Finals to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Q4: What did Nikola Jokić record in the loss?
A4: 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in 37 minutes of play.
Final Words
This wasn’t just a Game 7 win — it was a declaration. The Oklahoma City Thunder proved that talent, discipline, and unity can outlast experience. With Gilgeous-Alexander ascending to superstar status and Holmgren anchoring the defense, the Thunder aren’t just ahead of schedule — they’re rewriting it.
