In a tightly contested Game 4, the Oklahoma City Thunder edged out the Denver Nuggets with a final score of 92-87, leveling the Western Conference semifinals series at 2-2. This victory prevents the Thunder from falling into a precarious 3-1 series deficit and sets the stage for a critical Game 5 on Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
Despite a challenging offensive outing, the Thunder demonstrated resilience and a strong team effort, particularly from their bench, which outscored Denver’s reserves 35-8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 25 points, contributing nine vital points in the fourth quarter. He also recorded six rebounds and six assists, showcasing his all-around performance during crucial moments of the game.
The Thunder’s defense was pivotal in the fourth quarter, allowing them to surge ahead and outscore the Nuggets 29-18 in that period. Oklahoma City had a rough start but managed to improve their shooting, finishing the game with 31-for-87 from the field despite struggling from long range with only 10-for-41 on three-pointers.
The Nuggets, however, faced their challenges, particularly with star player Nikola Jokic, who managed to score 27 points and grab 13 rebounds, but shot only 7-for-22 from the field. The team struggled significantly in the first and fourth quarters, scoring just eight points in the opening 12 minutes and suffering through another lackluster fourth quarter.
Both teams are aware that the winner of Game 5 in a best-of-seven series tied at 2-2 historically advances 81.3% of the time, making it a pivotal matchup. Looking ahead, this shift in momentum could prove vital for the Thunder, reigniting their championship aspirations as they continue to build on their recent success. With both teams displaying determined defenses and the stakes higher than ever, fans can expect an intense clash in the upcoming game.