Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads way for Thunder’s group effort in Game 5 win

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OKLAHOMA CITY — As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander meandered to the free-throw line with 22.2 seconds remaining, he found a moment to place his hands on his knees and catch his breath.

The combination of nervousness and excitement from Oklahoma City Thunder fans at Paycom Center shook the building, but there was still a calmness about Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Denver Nuggets, who had been in control for most of a Game 5 they once led by 12 points, suddenly found themselves slowly being buried by Gilgeous-Alexander closing, a series of haymakers which they couldn’t recover from — despite Nikola Jokić’s valiant effort.

Oklahoma City had emerged victorious with a thrilling 112-105 contest, giving the Thunder a 3-1 series lead on Tuesday night. Despite the win, there was still much room for improvement

“We didn’t play great,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “We were a little sloppy in the first half on both ends of the floor — that was as loose as we’ve been defensively since Game 1. But to hang in there the way we did and get back on track was impressive. And I thought we closed really well, both ends of the floor. High level of connection, guys played great.”

By Game 5, the only thing that mattered was which MVP candidate could drag his team over the finish line. And Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 10 points in the final quarter — 20 in the second half overall — used a 31-point, seven-assist, six-rebound performance to plant his flag.

“I don’t think he has any lack of confidence in himself,” guard Alex Caruso told The Athletic. “That was there long before I got here or any other people around the organization got here, and that’s just how he carries himself. He expects excellence, and we expect it out of him, too. He’s the head of this thing for us, and we have the utmost confidence in him.”

The Nuggets now have their backs up heading into an elimination game. Gilgeous-Alexander’s big night was important. Since training camp — and since Gilgeous-Alexander assumed control of this team — unity has been the prevailing theme for Oklahoma City. Game 5 was as much about SGA’s clutch buckets as it was about Lu Dort finally breaking out of his shooting slump at the right time, hitting three critical 3s in a four-possession fourth-quarter stretch. It was as much about an MVP candidate rising to the occasion as it was about Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein working in tandem.

“We always say the answer is never a hero play or anything out of the ordinary,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s being who we are, trusting each other. Playing with our five on both ends, and whatever the problem is, we can fix it with collective effort. And that’s all we try to focus on.”

Even during the postgame news conference, the majority of questions posed to Daigneault had more to do with the contributions of the others — Caruso’s big minutes, Jalen Williams’ rebounding and playmaking and a collective fight — than SGA.  This has shown to be a group growing together, regardless of the result. A group that is now one win away from a first trip to the Western Conference finals in nearly a decade, when Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were young and spry.

“We just play for one another,” Daigneault said. “The guys have an unbelievable connection in the locker room. That’s enough for us. And they’ve had an unbelievable spirit, that’s why they’ve accomplished what they have to this point — and it’s why they showed the type of resolve on a night we didn’t have our fastball. Great will and connectedness down the stretch.”

As the Thunder head back to Denver, hoping to finish the job in Game 6, there’s an understanding that the Nuggets’ biggest punch is coming. Jokić, who finished with 44 points (on ridiculous 17-for-25 shooting), 15 rebounds and five assists, produced the sort of performance that typically results in a postseason win. The three-time MVP, who had struggled over the last three contests (relative to his usual efficiency), has awakened and will surely not go quietly. In Game 5, the Nuggets flexed their physicality on the offensive glass, grabbing 16 second-chance opportunities, twice as many as the Thunder. Christian Braun and Michael Porter Jr., who combined to shoot just 4-of-19 from the floor, will be more relaxed in front of a familiar environment.

But where Denver has tightened its strings, Oklahoma City has relied on its depth — a bet that has paid off repeatedly. Gilgeous-Alexander garners the most defensive attention over 48 minutes, but this series is much more than that. The Thunder won 68 games during the regular season, learning the importance of rhythm, in-game adjustments and an offensive hub and leader they can depend on. There is trust in Gilgeous-Alexander. And there is trust in each other.

In Game 6, the Thunder will need to capitalize on a Nuggets defense daring them to hit 3s. They’ll need Williams to be turbocharged. They’ll need to continue to trust in Hartenstein and Holmgren’s synergy at both ends of the floor. They’ll need Dort, Caruso, Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins to provide timely floor spacing and aggressive perimeter defense. And they’ll need Gilgeous-Alexander to finish the job.

“When we do what we’re supposed to do, when we are locked in on both ends of the floor, we’re able to go on runs,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Nothing’s been unexpected or wild in our performances. It’s been what we know all year, and we’ve been building these habits to make sure we’re ready for these moments.”

(Photo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Ron Chenoy / Imagn Images)

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