That also means the Nuggets are on the brink of elimination. The veteran squad has played with a Gatorade symbol underneath their sneakers in the last two fourth quarters against the Thunder. Playing every other day the last two weeks with a short rotation has started to catch up to Denver despite Nikola Jokic's excellence.

The stage is set for Alex Caruso and the Oklahoma City Thunder to reach their first Western Conference Finals in nine years. After the Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 112-105 in Game 5, taking a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven series,

Now this was finally a role Julian Strawther could sink his teeth into, even if it cost him one. Playing meaningful extended minutes for first time in the series, the Denver Nuggets guard provided a spark off the bench as he scored all 15 of his points in the second half Thursday night.