The Thunder were entering a pivotal Game 5 against the Nuggets, a game they had lost the previous year to the Dallas Mavericks. This game was designed to determine whether the Thunder were ready to take that next step or if they were still too young. The Thunder got their answer in a comeback Game 5 win, taking a 3-2 series lead.
This series is far from over, but the Thunder are in the driver’s seat. This young Thunder team has grown not only this season but also in this series alone, and is a completely different team from Game 1 than it was in Game 5. The Thunder have proved they are ready. The only question is, can they close out the series?
The Thunder Proved They Are Ready, Now Can They Close?
Flipping The Script in the 4th Quarter
Coming into this series, the Thunder had tons of advantages over the Nuggets besides the experience. The Nuggets have won a championship before, and the Thunder have not. This was very evident in Game 1 when the Thunder were outscored 36-29 in the fourth quarter, blowing their 10-point lead they had at halftime. Additionally, in Game 3, the Thunder blew their fourth quarter lead, sending the game into overtime, in which they lost. Those two games showed the Thunder’s inexperience, and it seemed like they could only win games if they blew out the Nuggets. As long as the Nuggets kept it close, they would have the advantage in the fourth.
Heading into Game 4, the Thunder were down 2-1 and needed a win to avoid a 3-1 deficit. However, this time the Nuggets had a six-point lead heading into the fourth, and it seemed like Denver was ready to take control of the series. The Thunder flipped the script and stormed back, outscoring the Nuggets 29-18 in the fourth to tie the series 2-2. Finally, in a series-deciding Game 5, the Thunder found themselves down eight heading into the fourth. This game showed a lot of similarity to last year’s Game 5, in which the Thunder ended up losing. However, they flipped the script again and outscored the Nuggets 34-19 in the fourth quarter to take a 3-2 series lead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Finally Played Like an MVP
One of the biggest storylines for the Thunder in these playoffs has been the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggles. He didn’t play well in the first round against the Grizzlies, unlike last year when he was the only one who showed up for the Thunder. Shai averaged 27.8 points per game, shooting a poor 40.2% from the field and 25.0% from three. This continued into the second round against the Nuggets for the first four games of the series. In those games, Gilgeous-Alexander struggled, especially in the fourth quarter. In Game 3, he went 1-8 from the field and only scored 3 points in the fourth. This started to bring up questions over whether SGA could be the number one guy or if the lights were getting too bright for him, which never came up as a problem last year.
However, just like the Thunder flipped the script, so did Gilgeous-Alexander. In Games 4 and 5, he played much better and helped the Thunder close those games out to go up 3-2. Furthermore, in the fourth quarter of those games, Shai is averaging 9.5 points, shooting 50.0% from the field. In Game 5, he was able to outduel the 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic down the stretch to close out a critical game for the Thunder. This is what an MVP caliber player is supposed to do, and when the Thunder needed him the most, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered, and he will need to do it again for the Thunder to win this series.
The Thunder’s Supporting Cast Helped Out
Last year, Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t receive any help, and he wasn’t able to beat the Mavericks by himself, leading to the Thunder’s elimination. This hasn’t been the case at all this year as he is getting more help from his teammates, and it is paying off for the Thunder. In the Memphis series, it was Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren who helped carry the Thunder to a 4-0 sweep. In Game 4 of this series, it was Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, and Cason Wallace who helped ignite the comeback. Finally, in Game 5, it was Lu Dort who was struggling from three for the whole playoffs, made three triples in the fourth quarter to help ignite that comeback. This is what the Thunder team was missing last year, and this team is growing right in front of our eyes and improving with every challenge or experience they can get.
Can The Thunder Close?
Now we are to the biggest remaining question: can the Thunder close out the Nuggets and the series? The Thunder have proved they are ready for the next step, and that next step is closing out a championship-level team to advance to the Western Conference Finals. The good news for the Thunder is that they have two tries to do it, with one of them being at home. This series could very well go to seven games, as it is tough to close out a series on the road. However, every time this Thunder team has faced a challenge, they have responded positively, and this shouldn’t change your confidence level in this team answering the call.
The Last Word on The Thunder Proving They Are Ready
The Thunder have proved they are ready to take the next step, and now they just have to close. This series against the Nuggets has helped the Thunder grow and learn, which will help them in a possible Conference Finals this year or in the future. The playoff bracket has fallen as good as it could have for the Thunder, and a path to the Finals is growing wider and wider. Regardless of what happens in this series, the Thunder have grown as a team that will help them either now or down the road.
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