Thunder vs Nuggets: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Game 4 Win for OKC
There’s something brewing in Oklahoma City, and it’s not just the future anymore—it’s the right now. On Sunday in Denver, the youngest team left standing in the NBA playoffs walked into the defending champions’ building, punched them in the mouth, and walked out with a 92-87 win in Thunder vs Nuggets Game 4, evening the Western Conference semifinals at 2-2.
This wasn’t pretty. Far from it. The basketball was ugly, the shots were off, the pace was choppy, and both teams looked like they were still feeling Game 3’s overtime hangover from Friday night. But when it came down to the final stretch—the part where playoff series are won or lost—OKC stood taller than anyone expected.
And the Nuggets? They blinked.
An Early Tipoff and an Ice-Cold Start
Mother’s Day matinee games don’t usually bring out the best basketball, and this one made that painfully clear right from the jump. The first quarter featured just 25 combined points—total. Missed layups, clanked threes, disjointed possessions… you name it. By halftime, it was 42-36, Thunder up.
Nikola Jokić looked human. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hadn’t caught fire yet. And both teams were shooting like it was the first day of preseason.
“It was a slog,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault admitted afterward. “You could feel the tired legs. The bodies weren’t fresh. But mentally? We were locked in.”
That mental edge kept them from slipping when Denver tried to do what it always does—take control late.
Bench Mob Turns the Game Around
With a little over nine minutes left in the fourth, the Nuggets had just taken a 73-66 lead on an Aaron Gordon jumper. It felt like the moment where Denver finally exerts its will, where the champs push the kids aside and show them how it’s done.
But then came the run. Out of nowhere.
Cason Wallace—a rookie who’s been quietly solid all year—drilled a three. Then another. Aaron Wiggins followed with one of his own. Suddenly, it was an 11-0 Thunder burst, and the crowd in Denver went from rumbling to rattled.
“Man, that group came in and just lit it up,” Daigneault said. “They flipped the game completely.”
That’s no exaggeration. Wallace’s second three put the Thunder up for good. And from that point on, OKC just played harder, smarter, and more poised than the guys with the rings.
Clutch Time Collapse for the Champs
If there’s one thing you can usually count on with the Nuggets, it’s closing ability. They’ve won closeout games. They’ve dominated fourth quarters. They don’t blow leads late.
But on Sunday? They went scoreless in the clutch. Literally.
Here’s how it broke down:
- Points: Denver 0, OKC 12
- Field Goals: Denver 0-for-5
- Free Throws: 0-for-2
- Turnovers: Costly ones—including a brutal five-second inbounds violation
Meanwhile, the Thunder just took care of business. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander either scored or assisted on 8 of those 12 late-game points. He didn’t panic. He didn’t force it. He just kept attacking and trusting his teammates.
“We’ve been in those situations,” Shai said. “Not always in the playoffs, but we’ve played a lot of close games. We know how to stay steady.”
The way he closed this one felt like something bigger—like a coming-of-age moment on a big stage. He finished with 25 points, 9 of them in the fourth quarter, and made it look calm while everyone else was spinning.
Nothing About This Was Pretty—But That Was the Point
Let’s be real: if you’re into fast breaks, fancy passes, and clean three-point shooting, this wasn’t your game. The two teams shot a combined 33.5%—the worst in a playoff game since 2004. They were 3-of-22 from deep in the first half alone.
It was a rock fight. A defensive grind. A “who-wants-it-more” kind of game.
And Oklahoma City wanted it more.
Every loose ball? They dove. Every defensive rotation? Crisp. Every time Denver tried to surge back, the Thunder had an answer—whether it was a tipped pass, a clutch rebound, or just getting to the free throw line.
“We took a punch in Game 3 and got back up,” Daigneault said. “That’s what this team is learning to do. You don’t win a title in one night, but every time you show resilience, you take a step closer.”
Shai is the Star—But This Team is More Than One Guy
Yes, Gilgeous-Alexander is the engine. No one’s debating that. But what’s making OKC dangerous is the total buy-in across the board.
Chet Holmgren didn’t score much but played excellent help defense. Lu Dort was a constant pest. The bench? Absolute difference-makers.
Cason Wallace finished with 11 huge points. Wiggins chipped in. Even guys like Jaylin Williams gave good minutes and helped wear down Denver physically.
“It’s not about one guy here,” Wallace said. “We know our roles. When it’s our turn to step up, we do.”
This type of balance is rare in young teams. Usually, there’s hesitation or nerves. Not with this group. Every guy looks ready. Every guy believes.
Source: Thunder overcome clutch woes to beat Nuggets in gritty Game 4
Denver’s Got Work to Do—and Fast
The Nuggets still have the experience. They’ve still got Jokić. But the air of invincibility is gone.
Jokić had 23 points and 11 rebounds but didn’t take over late. Jamal Murray couldn’t find the range. Michael Porter Jr. was quiet again. And the role players who usually hit timely shots? Not this time.
“They made plays, and we didn’t,” said interim coach David Adelman. “That’s the story.”
Denver will need to regroup fast, because Game 5 is in Oklahoma City on Tuesday—and that building is going to be loud. Thunder fans believe now. The team believes too.
What’s Next
This series, which looked like it might tilt Denver’s way after Game 3, is suddenly wide open.
OKC has momentum, confidence, and home-court advantage again. The Nuggets have questions—like how they let a 7-point lead slip away to a bunch of 20-somethings with barely a year of playoff mileage combined.
But this isn’t just about who’s more talented. It’s about who responds. And so far, the Thunder have done just that every single time.
“We’re learning on the fly,” Shai said. “And the more we go through, the more we believe.”
If Sunday was any sign, these kids aren’t just coming—they’re already here.
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