Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder get past Nikola Jokić and Nuggets
The Oklahoma City Thunder are on a mission to secure their first NBA championship since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City. While the team did win a title back in 1979 when they were still based in Seattle, they have yet to claim a championship since relocating. Star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to a dominant victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals, scoring an impressive 35 points.
The 125-93 win propelled the Thunder into the Western Conference Finals, where they will face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves. On the other side of the bracket, the New York Knicks will be taking on the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks last won an NBA championship in 1973, while the Pacers claimed their most recent title in the ABA in the same year.
If either the Thunder, Timberwolves, Knicks, or Pacers emerge victorious in the Finals, it will mark a historic moment for the NBA. With seven different championship franchises in the past seven years, the league is experiencing a level of parity that is unmatched in its history. The last back-to-back champions were the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018, leading to a diverse list of champions in the following years.
Despite facing challenges like injuries, as seen with Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon playing through a Grade 2 hamstring strain, the remaining teams are gearing up for an exciting battle for the championship. As the season winds down for most of the NBA’s teams, the intensity will only increase for the final four contenders.
Stay tuned for more updates on the NBA playoffs and the road to the championship. And don’t forget to follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage for the latest news and highlights.
