The Denver Nuggets head into Game 7 of their Western Conference Semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on May 18, 2025, with their championship mettle under fire and their hopes of defending their title hanging by a thread, needing a complete performance on the road in one of the NBA’s loudest, most energized arenas against a team that has consistently tested their depth, conditioning, and ability to adjust under pressure. At the heart of Denver’s fight is Nikola Jokić, the three-time MVP who has once again delivered elite production in the postseason with averages of 26.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game, doing everything from initiating offense to cleaning up on the glass and anchoring defensive possessions with high-IQ rotations and communication. Jokić’s brilliance has kept Denver alive despite uneven contributions from the rest of the roster, and Game 7 will demand yet another herculean performance from him, especially if Aaron Gordon—questionable with a hamstring injury—cannot suit up, removing one of Denver’s best perimeter defenders and rebounders. Jamal Murray has stepped into the scoring role admirably, averaging 22.5 points in the playoffs while shouldering much of the crunch-time creation, but Oklahoma City’s defense has tightened around him as the series has progressed, forcing him into contested looks and limiting his efficiency, which has made Denver’s offense vulnerable to scoring droughts and overreliant on Jokić’s ability to generate clean shots for others.

The bench has been a mixed bag for Denver, but the emergence of rookie Julian Strawther in Game 6—where he poured in 15 points off the bench—adds a potential X-factor, especially if Michael Porter Jr. struggles to find rhythm early or gets bottled up by OKC’s aggressive wing defenders. For the Nuggets to survive and advance, they must control the tempo of the game, limit turnovers, and attack Oklahoma City’s defense before it can get fully set, using off-ball movement and screening actions to spring shooters and loosen up the Thunder’s help defense. Defensively, Denver will need to find a way to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander without collapsing into unnecessary fouls, which means sharper communication in pick-and-roll coverage, better containment on dribble drives, and more decisive rotations from the weak side—something that’s been hit-or-miss during their losses in this series. The Nuggets’ ability to rebound will also be critical, especially if Gordon is out, as Oklahoma City’s size and length with Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Hartenstein can wear down smaller lineups and generate second-chance points that tilt momentum quickly. Coach Michael Malone will need to trust his rotations but also be prepared to ride the hot hand and make bold adjustments if the offense stalls, as the Thunder have proven capable of going on massive runs in short spurts that have overwhelmed teams in their building. With the season on the line, Denver must lean on its experience, precision execution, and the unshakable composure of Jokić to quiet the crowd and withstand the pace and intensity of an Oklahoma City team built for chaos, and if they can manage the pressure, keep the game within striking distance, and deliver late-game shotmaking, they’ll give themselves a real shot at defending their Western Conference crown.