The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder will tip off their Western Conference Semifinal series on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City in what promises to be a thrilling showdown between two of the most potent and contrasting teams in the NBA. The Nuggets, fresh off a challenging but composed six-game victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, bring playoff-tested experience, size, and the brilliance of Nikola Jokić into the series, while the Thunder, who swept the Memphis Grizzlies in dominant fashion, represent the league’s most balanced and fastest-rising team, boasting a league-best 68-14 regular-season record. Jokić has been sensational, averaging 29.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists in the postseason, continuing his tradition of playoff excellence and anchoring a Denver team that ranks third in offensive efficiency with a 122.3 offensive rating. Yet, Denver’s defensive vulnerabilities loom large against an Oklahoma City squad that not only ranks third in offensive efficiency but first in defensive rating (107.5), led by the two-way mastery of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rim-protecting presence of Chet Holmgren, who’s averaging 2.8 blocks per game and altering the way opponents attack the paint. Gilgeous-Alexander, who put up 32.7 points per game in the regular season, remains the engine of Oklahoma City’s offense, capable of scoring from all three levels while drawing attention that opens up clean looks for sharpshooters like Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe. The Thunder’s depth and ability to rotate defensively without losing intensity gives them a key advantage over a Denver team whose second unit, while experienced, lacks the same athletic ceiling. The regular-season series between these two was evenly split at 2-2, and matchups within the matchup—like Gordon vs. Holmgren or Murray vs. Dort—will likely decide tight possessions.

Denver’s offense hinges on precision, half-court execution, and pick-and-roll brilliance, but their 20th-ranked defensive rating (110.2) makes them susceptible to teams that can score in transition and break down mismatches—two things Oklahoma City thrives on. The Thunder’s bench outscored opponents’ reserves by nearly 12 points per game in the regular season, and their ability to stretch leads or stabilize when stars rest could become a pivotal X-factor. Meanwhile, the Nuggets’ path to victory lies in controlling pace, limiting turnovers, and exploiting Oklahoma City’s youth with veteran poise and methodical execution, particularly in crunch time where Denver’s late-game offense has flourished. While Oklahoma City holds home-court advantage and enters with the statistical edge, Denver’s playoff pedigree and the brilliance of Jokić make them a formidable challenger. This series is likely to be a back-and-forth battle that tests coaching adjustments, star performance under pressure, and the ability of each team to adapt defensively as the chess match evolves. Game 1 will serve as an important tone-setter: if Oklahoma City can impose its pace, protect the rim, and disrupt Denver’s offensive rhythm early, they could gain immediate control—but if Jokić dictates tempo and the Nuggets get consistent secondary scoring, expect the series to swing into classic territory.