The star and former NBA MVP opens up: “The next few days, it’s going to be a lot of beer”

It was a case of ‘close but no cigar’ for Denver after they pushed Oklahoma all the way in the semi-final of the Western Conference playoffs.

Having won Game 6 in Denver, Nuggets fans were hoping that their team could topple the No. 1 seed but it wasn’t to be.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to help Oklahoma City Thunder win out (125-93) in the Game 7 clash as OKC advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016 where they face the Minnesota Timberwolves.

It was the Nuggets how took the early initiative, carrying over the momentum from their Game 6 win and they led by double digits with a minute left in the first quarter before the Thunder streaked into a 13-0 run spanning the first and second quarters to take the lead for the first time.

A big part of the Thunder’s success was Alex Caruso’s defense as he spent plenty of time on Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, who often found it difficult to find shots against Oklahoma City’s top-ranked defense with the Serbian bagging 20 points.

Downbeat Jokic

The 30-year-old Serbian star spoke to the media post-game and was naturally disappointed with the elimination.

“This game was basically similar to the second game,” Jokic said postgame. “We turned the ball over. We didn’t make enough shots. They were aggressive. They were attacking the offensive glass. They were making shots.”

Jokic also offered words of praise for OKC’s Gilgeous-Alexander: “He’s a special player,” Jokic said. “His shot selection, capability of making his own shots, separation, playing his rhythm—defensively, always stealing the ball, blocking shots.”

Wrapping up with a wry smile, the center hinted at some down-time, adding: “From now, like next couple of days, it’s going to be a lot of beer, probably,” he said with a grin.

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