The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from reaching the Western Conference Finals after a dramatic comeback victory in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Thunder erased a double-digit second-half deficit to defeat the Denver Nuggets 112-105 and now hold a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Game 6 is set for Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET in Denver, airing live on ESPN.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder to Statement Win

It was a clutch fourth quarter led by potential MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that turned the tide for Oklahoma City. The Thunder trailed by 8 entering the final period, but outscored Denver 34-19 in the fourth behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s all-around brilliance.

He finished with 31 points on 12-of-23 shooting, along with 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks — a performance that earned him deafening “M-V-P” chants from the Paycom Center crowd.

“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a signature playoff moment, scoring or assisting on every critical possession down the stretch.”

Lu Dort Ignites Thunder Comeback with Key 3-Pointers

Before Gilgeous-Alexander closed the game, Lu Dort ignited the Thunder’s comeback with three consecutive 3-pointers in the early fourth quarter. This coincided with a disastrous stretch for the Nuggets, who went over seven minutes without a field goal.

Oklahoma City took its first lead since the first quarter with 3:33 left in regulation and never looked back.

Nikola Jokić’s Heroics Not Enough for Denver

Despite a monster performance from Nikola Jokić — 44 points, 15 rebounds, and just two turnovers — the Nuggets could not secure the win. Jamal Murray added 28 points, but shot just 10-of-27 from the field.

The rest of Denver’s supporting cast struggled mightily:

• Michael Porter Jr.: 1-of-7 shooting, 2 points

• Christian Braun: 3-of-12 shooting, 8 points

• Russell Westbrook: 1-of-7 shooting, 4 points

“Outside of Jokić and Murray, the Nuggets shot just 13-of-45 and went ice cold in the fourth quarter.”

Denver missed its first 13 field goals in the final period, scoring only once from the field before garbage time. That collapse has now put the defending champions on the brink of elimination.

Can the Nuggets Bounce Back in Game 6?

The Denver Nuggets, led by interim coach David Adelman after Michael Malone’s offseason departure, entered the 2025 NBA Playoffs as underdogs. Now, down 3-2 against a 68-win Thunder team, they must win two straight games to keep their title defense alive.

The pressure is squarely on Denver heading into Game 6, while Oklahoma City eyes its first trip to the Western Conference Finals since 2016.