OKC head coach Mark Daigneault described his team's series against Denver as "Slugfest" ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday.
When Thunder looked like Earl, eight points from the fourth quarter, it stripped off the canvas.
OKC initiated a late comeback to secure a 112-105 home victory and is now leading 3-2 in the second round of the playoff series.
Here are four more gains in the game:
Jaylin Williams checked in for the first time and with 37 seconds left in the opening season, he jogged Nikola Jokic and placed his hand on his back.
Williams wanted Jokic to know he was there and felt his presence throughout the series. His annoying defense played a big role in Jokic's struggle.
But at 6:49 until the end of the half, Jokic lowered his feet. Actually, that was his shoulder.
The three-time MVP entered the driveway and leaned over into Williams, who flew over the hardwood. Jokic dropped the tip after missing the chip lens.
There isn't much to contain Jokic, or anyone else on the Thunder. He scored 44 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists.
Jamal Murray stood out from his teammate’s mountain past Jokic’s screen and saw a clear path to the edge.
Chet Holmgren hurriedly provided some defense. But even his shooting arm did not stop Murray, who sailed around them, making a reverse layup.
The Denver defender then bent his muscles and dipped into the sorrow of the depressed thunder crowd. This marked the beginning of Murray's scoring frenzy, who burst out in just 3 minutes and 47 seconds earlier in the third quarter.
Denver's lead ranged from 2 to 9 points, leading by up to 12 points this quarter. But OKC gradually eliminated the deficit throughout the rest of the night and finally completed a comeback.
Lu Dort hovered around the three-point line, holding his hips up with both hands.
He was locked and loaded, if he gave the ball midway through the fourth quarter, ready to fire. That might be a good idea.
Dort has drilled two triple this quarter. Everyone is filled with life to OKC, and it feels like its season is supported by life as it falls behind in Game 5.
Williams skipped the pass and watched him release a deep bomb. It found the bottom of the net, trimming Denver's lead was 92-90 and drove the crowd into madness.
Dort brought clutch to OKC in the fourth quarter. He scored 9 points to win and helped the Thunder escape.
OKC entered Tuesday with a chance to lead 3-2 in its second round of playoff series.
Does this sound familiar? it should.
OKC was in the same position in the second round of the playoff series against Dallas last season. But the Thunder suffered a 104-92 family loss from the Mavericks in Game 5 and ended up losing the series in six games.
This is a study class for the young OKC team, and this time I passed the exam.
History has not been repeated, now it is thunder. The team that won Game 5 of the 2-2 Best Series continued the game 81.3% of the time (191-44).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Jalen Williams added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Homgren scored 14 points and eight boards.
Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Denver (ESPN).
Justin Martinez provides sports for Oklahoma sports. Does Justin have a story idea? He can be contacted via jmartinez@oklahoman.com or @jthesportsdude. Buy a digital subscription now on subscribe.oklahoman.com to support Justin's work and other Oklahoman journalists' work.