Thunders Dominant Playoff Run Continues with 124-94 Win over Timberwolves in Game 5
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as a formidable force in the NBA playoffs, and their latest victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals is a testament to their resilience and determination. The Thunder's 118-102 win at Paycom Center on Sunday night was a clear indication of their intent to advance to the Western Conference Finals. The 10-minute stretch of dominance they've been able to maintain for an entire half has become a hallmark for the franchise, and it's a sight to behold. League Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added another MVP to his trophy case with the Western Conference semifinals MVP award with 32 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. He scored or assisted on the game's first 10 points, and the outcome was never in doubt beyond the first few minutes. The Thunder's offseason additions were modest but crucial. The trade for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in a Danilo Gallinari swap and the signing of Jusuf Nurkić in free agency provided the team with much-needed depth and experience. Caldwell-Pope's defensive prowess was evident early on, as he hounded and defended Nuggets star Jamal Murray, leading to 18 turnovers for the Nuggets. The Thunder's young and inexperienced players have shown a maturity and a professionalism that has been a key factor in their success this postseason. Their lone slip-up in the Western Conference semifinals was Game 3 in Denver, but since then, the Thunder have been unstoppable. Their third 30-point win in these playoffs is a record, and it's added to their 65-win season and record amount of double-digit wins. "We wanted to come out with a sense of urgency," said Gilgeous-Alexander. "We knew we had to take care of business and not let this opportunity slip away." The Thunder's coach Mark Daigneault praised the new additions, saying they "fit seamlessly into our system." The team's fourth Game 7 against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round was a turning point for them, and it was likely their breakthrough moment. For Denver, it is their second straight trip to the Western Conference semifinals and second straight five-game loss, both in similar fashion. Nuggets star Jamal Murray said it's something he will have to live with going into the summer, unlike last year when he easily let go of his team's five-game loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The decisive game was essentially over in the first few minutes for both teams, as the Nuggets had more turnovers at the half (12) than buckets (10). There comes a point in every hotly contested playoff series when both teams know, even subconsciously, who the better team is — and the series begins taking shape. That came in Game 4 for the Thunder, when they beat the Nuggets in every metric except for the scoreboard. "They came to play, we didn't," said Murray. "When you lose a game like this, it's not really too much to break down. They just did what they were supposed to do."
