Final INSANE ENDING! GAME 1 Thunder vs Nuggets

On May 5, 2025, No. 1 seed Thunder faced the No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. What unfolded was a heart-pounding, down-to-the-wire thriller that left fans buzzing and set the tone for an epic series.

The Thunder, fresh off a sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, leaned on their depth and elite defense, led by MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Meanwhile, the Nuggets, battle-hardened from a grueling seven-game series against the Clippers, relied on the brilliance of Nikola Jokić, who delivered a monstrous 42 points and 22 rebounds. The game was a clash of titans, with both teams trading blows in a high-scoring affair.

Oklahoma City held a six-point lead with just two minutes remaining, seemingly in control. But Denver, showcasing their championship pedigree, refused to fold. The turning point came in the final seconds when Thunder big man Chet Holmgren missed two crucial free throws with 2.2 seconds left, leaving the door open. Denver’s Christian Braun grabbed the rebound, Russell Westbrook pushed the ball upcourt, and Aaron Gordon drained a clutch three-pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining, stunning the Thunder crowd and sealing a 121-119 comeback victory for the Nuggets.

Social media erupted, with fans and analysts calling it one of the wildest finishes of the 2025 playoffs. Posts on X highlighted Gordon’s heroics and Jokić’s dominance, while some questioned OKC’s late-game decisions. The Nuggets’ 19-6 run to close the game underscored their resilience, despite playing with just a day’s rest compared to OKC’s week-long break.

This game was a testament to the star power of Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić, both likely top-two finishers in the MVP race, and the depth of two Western Conference powerhouses. With Game 2 set for Wednesday, May 7, the series promises more fireworks. If this opener is any indication, Thunder-Nuggets could go down as a playoff classic.