Gilgeous-Alexander ignited Oklahoma City's win with a clutch fourth-quarter takeover to put the Thunder one win away from the Western Conference finals.

Jokic said Oklahoma City still played the same kind of defense that bothered him in Games 2 through 4, when he shot just 33% from the field and 18.2% from 3-point range. He again mostly dealt with 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren, 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein and the rugged, energetic Jaylin Williams.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points, and the Thunder beat the Nuggets, 112-105, on Tuesday night to go up 3-2 in their Western Conference semifinal series. Oklahoma City overcame a 44-point, 15-rebound night from Denver’s Nikola Jokic. The Thunder can clinch the series on Thursday in Denver.

The Nuggets are on the brink of elimination after a 12-point lead in the second half disappeared in Oklahoma City.