Thunder Face High Stakes in Game 7 Against Nuggets

DENVER — The Oklahoma City Thunder is set for a decisive Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Paycom Center. The matchup comes after a hard-fought Game 6, where the Thunder struggled with foul trouble and could not capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faced a tough night, picking up his fourth foul just before halftime. Fellow players Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams also dealt with foul issues, which disrupted the Thunder’s rhythm. The Nuggets took advantage of the situation, getting 32 free throw attempts compared to just 16 for the Thunder. Despite their aggressive defense, Oklahoma City racked up 28 fouls, leading to Denver’s scoring advantage.

In a performance that saw the Thunder unable to find their shooting form, they hit only 28% of their three-point attempts. With a notable offensive struggle, Chet Holmgren managed 19 points, and Wallace contributed 10 points in the first half, but the team could not maintain momentum.

The game took a critical turn in the closing moments of the first half. The Thunder held a 12-point lead but squandered it just before halftime. Denver rallied with key three-pointers and strong drives to the basket, erasing the deficit and injecting hope into their home crowd.

Jamal Murray shined for the Nuggets, finishing with 27 points and displaying outstanding energy on the court. The pressure of playing to extend their season fueled Denver’s performance, creating a hostile environment for the Thunder.

Now, with the stakes raised, both teams prepare for a high-pressure Game 7. The Thunder’s young roster will face a veteran Nuggets team that has previously dealt with pressure in elimination games. “It’s gonna be the highest-intensity basketball that you ever played,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, and the team will need to bring their best to avoid elimination.

The challenge is on for Oklahoma City, who has not experienced a Game 7 with this current lineup. Their performance will depend on their ability to maintain composure under pressure and execute smoothly against Denver’s seasoned squad.