Thunder Defeat Nuggets 112-105 to Take 3-2 Lead in Western Semifinals

The Oklahoma City Thunder advanced 3-2 in their Western Conference semifinal series Tuesday night after defeating the Denver Nuggets 112-105 behind 31 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Nikola Jokic of Denver had a night with 44 points and 15 rebounds, but Oklahoma City defeated him. In Denver on Thursday, the Thunder have a chance to win the series. Gilgeous-Alexander had seven assists and made 12 of 23 field goals. Six Thunder players were in double digits under his leadership. Of 25 shots, Jokic made 17 of them. Jamal Murray of Denver scored 28 points, although he only hit 10 of his 27 attempts. No other player from Denver scored over 13 points. Oklahoma City ran out to a 12-2 lead, and it looked like it might turn out like the Thunder’s blowout victory in Game 2. Denver made one of its first nine shots, and that was a putback by Jokic.