BBNBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder blowout Nuggets in Game 7

The series matchup between the top two contenders for MVP lived up to the hype. It was the only series in these playoffs to go the distance and featured some dramatic comebacks and finishes. Game 7, however, was much less theatrical. Like the famous Garth Brooks song, the Thunder rolled over the Nuggets, winning 125-93 and advancing to the Western Conference Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a primary reason why.

SGA posted a game-high 35 points in the rout to go along with four assists, three rebounds, three steals, and a block. He now has the 5th most playoff games in NBA history with at least 35 points and zero turnovers. Only Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant have more.

After the game, Shai posted on Instagram, “They thought I was whyling when I was smiling.” I’m no slang expert, but this roughly translates to: Everyone thought I was nervous about the series being so close and going to Game 7, but I was quite confident my team would come out victorious, which we did. So, there.

The MVP is a regular-season award, but Gilgeous-Alexander made sure to put his final stamp of (likely) victory on this debate. It is a little suspicious that the NBA did not announce the MVP winner during this series, considering it featured the two frontrunners. This is usually about the time of the year it drops, but it is just a matter of time before Shai gets his hardware.

The Game 7 loss wasn’t the only L taken by Nikola Jokic on Sunday. Another former Kentucky guard, Cason Wallace, dunked in his face on a fast break, adding an extra scoop of humiliation to his playoff exit. Wallace finished with seven points, five assists, three boards, and two steals.

Cason Wallace dunked in the face of Nikola Jokic, the man who will be runner-up in the MVP to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. pic.twitter.com/FkFTe4JVOG

— Adam Stratton (@AdamStrattonKSR) May 18, 2025

Jamal Murray did not shoot well in a very physical game

As for the Wildcat on the wrong side of the scoreboard, Jamal Murray had an off night. After channeling his inner Jordan in Game 6, putting on a masterful performance while sick, he struggled to get going in Game 7. He finished with just 13 points on 6-16 shooting.

The game as a whole was a chippy one. Denver fans were apoplectic at the amount of contact Alex Caruso seemed to get away with while guarding Jokic. The 6-foot-5-inch, 185-pound guard matched up often on the 6-foot-11-inch, 285-pound center and played with extreme physicality. Maybe it was the six inches and 100 pounds he was giving up that made the refs swallow their whistles, but Nuggets fans were none-too-happy about it.

Jokic himself took some exception to the “let-them-play” mentality of the officials. After Gilgeous-Alexander was all over Aaron Gordon on one play, the Joker set a vicious moving screen on SGA, knocking him to the floor. Was it a foul on Shai first? Maybe. But Jokic fouled him last.

Playoff basketball, ladies and gentlemen.

Jokic called for an offensive foul here on SGA pic.twitter.com/n1dQhPB8OS

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) May 18, 2025

The Thunder won’t have too much time to bask in their win. They will have a short two-day turnaround, as they host what will be a well-rested Minnesota Timberwolves team on Tuesday. It will be another BBNBA star-studded matchup when Julius Randle, who has been an absolute stud in the playoffs, will seek to keep the Wolves’ momentum going against OKC. Tip-off will be at 8:30 on ESPN.

BBNBA Stats for 5/18/2025

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	125-93 W vs. DEN	35	12-19 (3-4)	3	4	3	1	0	+32	36
Jamal Murray (DEN)	93-125 L @ OKC	13	6-16 (1-8)	1	2	3	1	2	-21	35
Cason Wallace (OKC)	125-93 W vs. DEN	7	3-10 (1-6)	3	5	2	0	1	+38	27

Up Next in the NBA Playoffs

Western Conference Finals | Game 1 | Tuesday, May 20
8:30 (ESPN) | Timberwolves (Randle, Dillingham) @ Thunder (Gilgeous-Alexander, Wallace)

Eastern Conference Finals | Game 1 | Wednesday, May 21
8:00 (TNT) | Pacers (Jackson: out) @ Knicks (Towns)