OKC ANSWERS THE CALL: Thunder Emerges as Western Favorites After Gritty Game 4 Win

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t flashy. But it was powerful. The Oklahoma City Thunder walked into Denver for Game 4 and left with a massive, series-tying win that may have shifted the entire momentum of this Western Conference showdown.

Behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, along with a heroic performance from the Thunder bench, OKC fought their way to a grind-it-out victory in hostile territory. Now tied 2-2, the narrative around this young, scrappy team has taken a dramatic turn — and Stephen A. Smith isn’t holding back.

“They answered the call,” Stephen A. declared. “That’s why I think they’re the imminent favorites to come out of the West.”

A Must-Win Mentality, A Grown-Man Win

After a heartbreaking loss in Game 3 where SGA was held scoreless in the final six minutes, the pressure was squarely on Oklahoma City’s shoulders. But Shai didn’t flinch. In his postgame interview, he made it clear: every game from here on is “do or die.” That attitude fueled the Thunder, who overcame poor shooting and a dominant frontcourt to reclaim control of the series.

In a game where both teams shot an abysmal 24.4% from three-point range and under 36% from the field, it came down to heart, hustle, and defense. Thunder had all three.

Gilgeous-Alexander, while not putting up a viral stat line, showed poise when it mattered most — scoring 8 points in the final stretch and steering the ship through Denver’s high-pressure defense.

The Real MVPs? The Thunder Bench

Stephen A. and Kendrick Perkins were unanimous in their postgame praise for OKC’s second unit. Caruso, Wiggins, and rookie Cason Wallace were relentless. Together, they accounted for 8 of OKC’s 10 made threes and contributed heavily to a massive 35–8 bench scoring differential — a margin that essentially decided the game.

“Let’s not just give them credit,” Perkins emphasized. “The bench won them the game.”

Caruso’s championship DNA showed up on both ends of the floor. Wallace, in particular, was a revelation — hitting timely shots, defending Jamal Murray with intensity, and showing the kind of fearlessness that belies his age.

In a postseason where benches often shrink, Mark Daigneault’s faith in his role players is paying dividends.

Defending the MVP Like a Pack of Piranhas

Much of the conversation now centers around Nikola Jokic, who has looked human in back-to-back games. While some point to fatigue — after all, he’s coming off a grueling seven-game series against Ivica Zubac and the Clippers — others believe OKC’s defense is simply suffocating him.

Stephen A. rejected the fatigue narrative.

“This is about Oklahoma City’s defense,” he said. “They’re like a bunch of piranhas… hands everywhere. They don’t give Jokic room to breathe.”

From Isaiah Hartenstein’s physicality, to Jaylin Williams’ six-foul commitment to bodying up Jokic, to even SGA contesting a floater early in the game — the Thunder threw waves of defenders at the three-time MVP. Jokic never looked comfortable. And when he did dish the ball out, Denver’s supporting cast failed to capitalize.

Perkins, however, saw signs of wear and tear on Jokic.

“He’s had to carry this team all year,” Perkins said. “Now he’s dealing with three fresh bodies every possession. It’s wearing on him.”

All the Makings of a Seven-Game Classic

As both analysts noted, this series has officially entered a new phase — one where schemes and scouting reports take a backseat to grit and desire. Everyone knows each other’s tendencies by now. What remains is a test of willpower.

Game 4 felt like a turning point. Not only because OKC reclaimed home-court advantage, but because they proved they could win an ugly, physical game on the road in high altitude — the exact type of playoff test that breaks lesser teams.

And still, neither side has played their best basketball yet. If Denver regains its offensive rhythm and role players like Aaron Gordon (held under 20 points in Game 4) step up, they’re more than capable of stealing one in OKC. But the Thunder aren’t going anywhere — and if anything, they’re only gaining steam.

The road teams have held their own all postseason long — with a 28–28 record so far — meaning Game 5 in Oklahoma City isn’t a guaranteed win either. But the Thunder crowd is among the loudest in the league. That building is going to be rocking.

“That OKC crowd is going to be on fire,” Perkins said. “And SGA still hasn’t had that moment yet in this series. It’s coming.”

Betting Favorites — Now for a Reason

Coming into the postseason, ESPN BET listed Oklahoma City as the favorites to come out of the West — a surprising claim for such a young roster. Even after falling behind 2-1 in the series, the numbers held. But Stephen A. said he wasn’t ready to buy in until he saw them respond to adversity.

Now? He’s all in.

“They validated it,” he said. “They answered the call. They went into the Mile High City and took a game. They should be the favorites now.”

Whether it ends in six or seven, the Thunder have announced themselves as serious contenders. This isn’t just a cute young team with potential. This is a squad with elite defense, veteran poise, and a superstar in SGA who hasn’t even peaked in this series yet.

Game 5 looms on Tuesday. Expect fireworks.