Thunder edge Nuggets to tie NBA playoff series 2-2 in defensive battle

Oklahoma City Thunder survive late Denver push to even Western Conference semifinals.

Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Nikola Jokic #15 and Aaron Gordon #32 of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of Game Four in the Western Conference Second Round of the NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 11, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 92-87 on Sunday in a bruising and low-scoring contest, evening their Western Conference semifinal series at two games apiece. The win, anchored by a composed defensive performance and a crucial fourth-quarter rally, keeps the Thunder in firm contention to advance to the NBA Western Conference Finals.

Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder to redemption

With the series hanging in the balance, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a performance worthy of his All-NBA status. Scoring 25 points while adding six rebounds and six assists, Gilgeous-Alexander played a pivotal role on both ends of the floor. His poise and court vision helped Oklahoma City regain momentum after Denver clawed back from a double-digit deficit to briefly take the lead in the third quarter.

“Our identity is on the defensive end,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the win. “They got going a little bit in the second half, but we responded. That’s what the playoffs are about—responding.”

Cason Wallace’s clutch three ignites Thunder’s final push

After the Nuggets grabbed their first lead midway through the third quarter, Oklahoma City turned to its bench to halt the bleeding. Rookie Cason Wallace buried a decisive three-pointer with 8:35 remaining in the fourth quarter, igniting a Thunder run that ultimately sealed the game.

Wallace wasn’t alone in his contribution off the bench. Aaron Wiggins added 11 points, Alex Caruso chipped in 10, and the Thunder bench outscored Denver’s reserves 35 to 8—a margin that proved decisive.

“That second unit was huge for us,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said. “They brought energy, made smart plays, and shifted the momentum back in our favor.”

A defensive slugfest defines Game 4

Neither team found much rhythm offensively in Game 4, with both shooting under 37% from the field. Oklahoma City went 31-for-87, while Denver managed only 25 made field goals from 80 attempts.

Despite the poor shooting, the game remained a tight contest due to intense defensive pressure and playoff urgency. The Thunder, who led the NBA with 68 regular-season wins, proved they could grind out ugly victories as well.

Denver, meanwhile, struggled to recover from Friday’s emotional and physically exhausting overtime win in Game 3. Though they rallied behind Nikola Jokic’s 27 points and 13 rebounds, their legs appeared heavy down the stretch.

“I thought tired legs out there from both teams,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said postgame. “But they made the plays that mattered. You have to give them credit.”

Jokic shines but misses support from Denver bench

While Jokic continued to perform at an MVP level, his supporting cast showed signs of wear and inconsistency. Jamal Murray and Christian Braun contributed 17 points each, and Aaron Gordon added 15, but Denver's bench offered little relief.

Compared to the Thunder’s energetic second unit, Denver’s reserves were largely ineffective. With just eight bench points in 48 minutes, the Nuggets lacked the depth necessary to counter Oklahoma City’s physicality and hustle in the final period.

“The bench scoring disparity really hurt us,” Adelman admitted. “It’s tough to win a playoff game when your starters are playing tired and the bench can’t pick up the slack.”

Series shifts back to Oklahoma City for pivotal Game 5

With the series now tied at 2-2, Game 5 on Tuesday in Oklahoma City looms as a turning point. The Thunder will be back on their home court with renewed confidence, having avoided a 3-1 deficit that could have crippled their playoff hopes.

“Every game is do or die against a team like Denver,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We know what’s at stake, and we’re going to be ready.”

For Denver, the mission will be to regroup, recover, and rediscover the offensive rhythm that helped them pull off a dramatic overtime win in Game 3. Jokic’s consistency has been key throughout the playoffs, but the Nuggets will need more from their bench and a quicker start if they hope to steal one on the road.

Around the league: Pacers host Cavaliers in East showdown

Later on Sunday, the Indiana Pacers welcomed the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup. The Pacers, up 2-1 entering the contest, aimed to stretch their lead after taking both opening games in Cleveland.

However, the Cavaliers bounced back in Game 3 with a 43-point outburst from Donovan Mitchell and a stifling defensive display on Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton. That win rekindled Cleveland’s hopes of reclaiming home-court advantage.

The outcome of that series may shift the Eastern Conference picture just as much as the Thunder-Nuggets showdown is doing out West.

What’s next in Thunder vs Nuggets series

Heading into Game 5, both Oklahoma City and Denver will need to address key concerns. For the Thunder, maintaining their defensive intensity while finding better efficiency from their starters is paramount. Though Gilgeous-Alexander led the way, the rest of the lineup combined for 22-of-66 shooting—a figure that must improve if they want to close out the series in six.

Denver, meanwhile, must address fatigue and the lack of bench production. Jokic can only carry so much of the load, and with the Thunder’s deep rotation clicking, the Nuggets face pressure to respond swiftly.

With each game gaining magnitude, the Western Conference semifinals are shaping up to be one of the most compelling battles of the 2024 NBA playoffs. Game 5 will be decisive—not just in the series, but potentially for the championship aspirations of both franchises.