2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Denver Nuggets (OKC WINS 4-3)

[Domejandro]

The shots at Nikola Jokić in this thread are so dumb. Dude has 20/8/7 on nine shots, despite being triple teamed on literally every possession. Denver is just kind of terrible and their second best player has a strained hamstring.

[sp6r=underrated]

It's sad seeing Denver going out like this.

They went out sadder last year. They need to blow it up already.

Who is going to take Murray or MPJ? Especially after these playoffs?

Retooling around Jokic, Gordon and Braun is the clear move to make but nobody is taking those two contracts.

And they go forever too. They needed one of those guys to improve from when they signed them instead there has been zero improvement.

[kodo]

Nice playoff run for Denver exceeded expectations.
Not sure Joker is going to get another title without major changes.

[MaliBrah]

Jokic getting locked up by Dwight Howard and now Caruso will keep him in the fringe top 30 status.

gave up about ten million paint points today too.

[Slimjimzv]

Jokic has regressed offensively from years prior, used to be unstoppable.

Jokic has been incredible. Back to back 7 game series, with two overtimes mixed in? The dude has to be exhausted.

[Castle Black]

So true

Read on Twitter

[okboomer]

Jokic getting locked up by Dwight Howard and now Caruso will keep him in the fringe top 30 status.

Dwight said recently that he wouldnt be able guard Jokic in todays game ffs .

[GeorgeSears]

Most people expected Denver to lose in the first round to the Clippers. Taking OKC to Game 7 with two injured players is a feat.

I'm just glad that Michael Malone is never going to coach this team again. What was a failed season ended with some hope.

[sp6r=underrated]

The shots at Nikola Jokić in this thread are so dumb. Dude has 20/8/7 on nine shots, despite being triple teamed on literally every possession. Denver is just kind of terrible and their second best player has a strained hamstring.

You're a wolves fan. If you're old enough this is just KG tail end Minnesota or Lebron 1st run Cleveland. Management has completely squandered an ATG.

[JustBuzzin]

There's just only so much you can do with Murray and MPJ are your #2 and #3

Correct. This team is like Lebron 1st run with Cle. The supporting cast is just too damn weak.

This is a good comparison yes. Difference is Jokic and LeBron; Jokic forced a Game 7, LeBron would have been swept

Difference between Jokic and LeBron is LeBron already accomplished his accolades and accomplishments. He's at worst the 2nd best player to ever play this game.

Jokic has a long way to go to get to Lebron's level. Getting blown out in a game 7 for the best player in the world is unacceptable.

2 straight years he's come up short in the playoffs. I remember when LeBron was the best player this would be a major discussion.

[p0peye]

I haven't watched Thunder much and their youth and energy on defense is remarkable, but they based on this series they didn't impress me as potential champion. I think Wolves should win in WCF.

[scrabbarista]

Reminder - OKC was the odds on favorite to win this in 5

They were -800 favorites to win the series. For reference, the Warriors that went 16-1 in the playoffs were -1000 favorites to beat the Cavs. It was that lopsided odds wise.

Welp. I had DEN over LAC in 7 games and OKC over DEN in 7 games: this Nuggets team is far and away the team I know best in the NBA...

Sad to see them lose what was ultimately a winnable series, but on the other hand, I did think this was the most likely outcome from the start.

[jokeboy86]

It'll be interesting who they get as GM next year. Murray/MPJ whould be gone imo. AG and CB are the ones with trade value so might need to involve them.

99% guarantee it's an internal promotion. Their last three or four GM's have all been internal promotions. Maybe before that, too, but that's as far back as I know. Internal = cheap.

They actually had Ujiri (good) and let him walk for money, Connelly (good) and let him walk for money, and Booth (also good, imo) and let him go, apparently because of a personality clash with Malone. It's hard to imagine this string of genius-level internal hires could continue, but I guess we'll find out.

Denver ownership strikes me as an ownership that is glad as long as the team is relevant and making the playoffs and not in the red, they’re good. Jokic emerging into an all time player is something they probably didn’t foresee and is just an added bonus. The fact that he doesn’t threaten to leave, put pressure on the front office or really say anything media wise is the cherry on top for them. Most modern owners would love that.

[Hobo4President]

Turnovers have been the problem for the nuggets

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OKC forces the most turnovers and scores the most fast break points because they grab, push, and swipe all game long and the refs allow it

It’s extremely disgusting

You’re right they are actually horrible at basketball. The refs just let them foul even though they have one of the worst FT differentials in the league.

But you solved it.

That could be explained by them fouling so much...

[AleksandarN]

Jokic getting locked up by Dwight Howard and now Caruso will keep him in the fringe top 30 status.

[levon]

So true

Read on Twitter

Show me a single foul from that possession. You guys are so mad.

[Sidthekid87]

It's frustrating watching such a great player in his prime with this type of team. Honestly disgusts me

[Dez]

I hope the Wolves obliterate the Thunder, cannot stand their hacking defense that gets rewarded and SGAs flailing/flopping offense that gets rewarded even more.

[Optms]

Jokic in a similar position as Giannis. Time to demand a trade or be content with 1 chip.

[bb22]

Shaq and Duncan wouldn't let Caruso guard them.

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The thing is both those guys had Hall of Fame guards to give the ball to them

Completely different playing styles. Jokic runs the offense and distributes.