With the series tied at two apiece, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets squared off for a Game 5 battle in Oklahoma City. It was another competitive battle that ended in a comeback victory in favor of the Thunder, winning 112-105.

The duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray was in the spotlight of this matchup, combining for 72 points. Despite having one of the best defenses in the NBA, there was nothing Oklahoma City could do to shut Denver’s star duo down.

A quick start for the Thunder was quickly answered by Jamal Murray and the Nuggets in the first half. Everything was clicking for Oklahoma City to open the game, going up by eight points early. Murray, Nikola Jokic and company quickly led their squad back to erase that early deficit.

Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got out to a brutal start for such an important game. He started going 2-for-9 from the field with six points, struggling to see his shots fall. Luckily for him, his All-Star companion, Jalen Williams, was hot. He opened the game with 11 points on a much nicer 50% percentage, but that didn’t stop the Nuggets from creating a respectable lead.

With seconds waning off the clock in the second quarter, the lead for the Denver Nuggets was increasing. Jokic and Murray were scoring with ease and the lead eventually ballooned to 11 points. The Thunder needed a response to close out the half anywhere on the roster and luckily, that happened.

Rebounding was an issue for the Thunder, losing that stat battle 49-43. They allowed 16 offensive rebounds compared to their eight, one area where Oklahoma City left some points on the board.

Buckets from Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace brought the deficit back to within two points heading into halftime. It was an important late scoring run for the Thunder that made things much closer going into the final 24 minutes.

Jokic was a clear standout in this game at every point. He finished the night with 44 points, 15 rebounds and five assists on 17-for-25 shooting. He was dominant on the offensive end and put up a vintage stat line, reminiscent of his past MVP seasons.

For the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander came up huge. He finished the game with 31 points on 12-for-23 shooting, adding six rebounds and seven assists. Gilgeous-Alexander did everything he could to help his team win, contributing on defense as well.

The start of the third quarter was simply a disaster for the Thunder. The same Denver duo was cooking on offense and there was nothing the OKC defense could do to stop it. Jokic and Murray were proving why they are two of the best playoff players in the league with their overall performances.

Oklahoma City responded slightly, but still trailed by eight points heading into the final quarter. They were going to need their stars, including Williams and Holmgren, to step up big down the stretch.

Williams and Holmgren were far too quiet throughout most of this game. After an 11-point start for Williams, he went scoreless through the beginning of the fourth quarter. He did hit some clutch shots down the stretch, however, finishing the game with 18 points. Holmgren finished the night with 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting,

While those two struggled, guard Alex Caruso continued his offensive and defensive contributions off the bench for the Thunder. He finished the game with 13 points and four rebounds on 4-for-10 shooting, making his presence felt while guarding on the other end of the floor.

In need of an offensive spark, the Oklahoma City Thunder found sanctuary in guard Lu Dort. He knocked down three straight triples for the Thunder to bring them within two points halfway through the fourth quarter. It gave Paycom Arena energy, as well as the team, allowing them to close the gap and lock down on defense.

Some big triples from Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander, along with good defense in the final minute, helped the Thunder earn the tough victory.

An even more important Game 6 tips off 7:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, May 15 on the road in Denver.

Nearly every Oklahoman has a story about the Batfish. For decades, the USS Batfish has anchored itself in the hearts of families, children, veterans and history lovers across our state. It’s more than a historic vessel ― it’s a tourism asset that has drawn visitors from across the country and served as a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of our military service members. Preserving the Batfish is not just about protecting a landmark; it’s about ensuring future generations understand the sacrifices made by those who helped shape Oklahoma and our nation.

The Batfish is no ordinary exhibit. This World War II submarine is a national treasure, known for accomplishing an extraordinary feat ― sinking three enemy submarines in just 76 hours. That achievement made the Batfish legendary in naval history and helped shift the tide of war in the Pacific. After the war, the submarine found its permanent home in Muskogee, where it quickly became one of Oklahoma’s most beloved and unique historical attractions.

For years, the Batfish served as an immersive museum experience. Visitors walked its narrow passageways, stood in its control room and gained a visceral appreciation for the bravery of those who served. But that experience has been on hold since 2019, when severe flooding damaged and displaced the vessel. Without urgent action, this iconic symbol of military valor risks being lost forever.

Thankfully, we have a clear and promising path forward. A plan is in place to relocate the Batfish to Port Muskogee’s Three Forks Harbor and incorporate it into the forthcoming Oklahoma War Memorial & Museum. This visionary project not only ensures the Batfish’s restoration and preservation ― it transforms it into the centerpiece of a new, premier cultural destination that will honor veterans, educate visitors and boost Oklahoma’s tourism economy for generations to come.

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Tourism is one of Oklahoma’s fastest-growing and most impactful industries, contributing a record $11.8 billion in visitor spending in 2022. Before the floods, the Batfish welcomed tens of thousands of visitors annually who supported local restaurants, hotels and businesses. With restoration and strategic placement near the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center, the Batfish will help establish Muskogee as a vibrant cultural and historical hub.

Yet even more than the economic return, this effort is about respect ― for the men and women who wore the uniform, and for future generations who deserve to learn from their stories. When a student steps aboard the Batfish, they’re not just seeing a submarine; they’re experiencing history, understanding sacrifice and drawing inspiration.

Together, we can protect a legacy, grow our economy and invest in a future that celebrates the strength, sacrifice, and spirit of Oklahoma.

Sterling Zearley is the executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Governor Kevin Stitt announced at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA Investment Summit that CBC Global Ammunition, one of the largest ammunition manufacturers in the world, is expanding its operations with a planned $300 million investment for a new facility at the MidAmerica Industrial Park in northeast Oklahoma. The project is expected to create 350 jobs.

“Oklahoma is so excited that CBC USA is going to make its home here,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “Because of our business-friendly policies, our support of law enforcement and the Second Amendment, and our unbeatable logistical advantage, it is a no-brainer for companies to choose our state. I’m thrilled to welcome the CBC team here and I can’t wait to watch them grow here in Oklahoma.”

CBC, the holding company for an international group in the ammunition sector, is one of the world’s leading producers of military and civilian ammunition for portable weapons. A key supplier to the United States military and allied forces worldwide, CBC also serves law enforcement and commercial markets. MagTech Ammunition Inc. acts as its master distributor in the U.S. for all brands within the group.

“We are thrilled to bring our new manufacturing operations to Oklahoma,” said Fabio Mazzaro, President of CBC and board member of CBC Global Ammunition. “This facility will be a cornerstone for our future growth in the world’s most important market for small caliber ammunition. With in-house production of all components, propellant and critical energetic raw materials we envisage to build an industry-leading and fully vertically integrated company. We believe that the region’s supportive business environment makes Oklahoma an ideal location for CBC USA.”

Globally, CBC has more than 4,000 employees and produces nearly two billion rounds of ammunition each year. The new Oklahoma facility will be capable of producing all centerfire cartridges, from 9mm up to 12.7mm, and will supply law enforcement, U.S. military and the U.S. sports and hunting market.

“This is a perfect example of what can happen when we work together to benefit Oklahoma,” said John Budd, Oklahoma Department of Commerce CEO. “Gov. Stitt, the Legislature, the Commerce team and all our partners have put in the work to create the ideal business environment for ammunition manufacturers like CBC to thrive. This win is huge for Oklahoma’s rapidly growing Aerospace and Defense industry, and I’m thankful for the work the MidAmerica team did to make this win possible.”

CBC will build its new manufacturing facility on more than 550 acres at MidAmerica Industrial Park within the historic land originally used as a munitions factory during World War II. The ground-breaking is expected to take place in the 4^th quarter of 2025.

“MidAmerica Industrial Park has a long and storied history of supporting our nation’s defense, dating back to its origins as a munitions facility during World War II. Today, with CBC Global Ammunition’s investment, we are witnessing the next chapter in that legacy—one that positions MidAmerica as a key player in the future of ammunition manufacturing. This project not only reinforces our commitment to economic growth and job creation in Oklahoma but also underscores the strategic advantages MidAmerica offers to global manufacturers seeking to expand in the Nation’s heartland,” said MidAmerica Industrial Park CEO David Stewart. “We are proud to welcome CBC Global Ammunition and look forward to supporting their success in Oklahoma.”

Oklahoma was able to seal the deal with CBC thanks in large part to the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund. This incentive is performance-based, with funds distributed only after agreed-upon benchmarks are achieved. Over the past three years, companies participating in the closing fund have created 2,400 jobs with a GDP contribution of $400 million.

About CBC Global Ammunition
CBC Global Ammunition is the holding company for several renowned brands in the small-caliber ammunition sector, including CBC, Magtech, MEN and Sinterfire, as well as New Lachaussée and Fritz Werner – two internationally recognized companies specialized in machinery for ammunition production. CBC Global Ammunition serves a wide range of segments: Military, Law enforcement, Sport shooting, Self-defense, and hunting. With more than 4,000 skilled professionals across Brazil, the USA, Germany, Belgium, and India, and an annual output of nearly 2 billion rounds, CBC is one of the world’s largest and most respected ammunition manufacturers.