The 2025 NBA Playoffs gave us many great games, but one series really stood out — the Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder. It had everything basketball fans love. There were big dunks, last-second shots, hard fouls, and even surprise heroes. It felt like a movie, but it was real.
If you missed any games or want to remember the best moments, this article will help you. We’re going to take a simple and clear look at the Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder match player stats. We’ll talk about the best players, biggest plays, and stats that tell the full story. Let’s get started!
When and Where the Games Happened
The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder played in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. This was a best-of-seven series, which means the first team to win four games would move on.
The series began on May 5, 2025, and ended on May 18, 2025, with a Game 7. The games were played in two places: Ball Arena in Denver and Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Thunder had a better regular season record, so they got to play Game 1 and Game 7 at home. That home crowd energy really helped.
Each game felt important. Both teams played with heart, and you could feel the pressure growing as the series went on.
Final Result: Who Won the Series?
After seven hard-fought games, the Oklahoma City Thunder won the series 4–3. It wasn’t easy. The Denver Nuggets gave everything they had. Each game was full of energy, and the players played like their season was on the line — because it was.
Here’s how the series went:
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Game 1: Nuggets 121 – 119 Thunder
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Game 2: Thunder 149 – 106 Nuggets
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Game 3: Nuggets 113 – 104 Thunder (Overtime)
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Game 4: Thunder 92 – 87 Nuggets
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Game 5: Thunder 112 – 105 Nuggets
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Game 6: Nuggets 119 – 107 Thunder
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Game 7: Thunder 125 – 93 Nuggets
The Thunder won Game 7 in a big way. They looked sharp and focused. It was one of the best games they played all year. Denver, on the other hand, looked tired and made too many mistakes. The final score doesn’t show how close the series really was.
The Biggest Stars of the Series
Every playoff series has star players who step up and carry their team. This series was no different. Two players stood out the most — Nikola Jokić for the Nuggets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) for the Thunder.
Nikola Jokić played like a true superstar. He scored, passed, rebounded, and even defended. In Game 1, he had 42 points and 22 rebounds. In Game 5, he dropped 44 points and almost carried Denver to a win by himself. Every time he was on the court, you could see how much he cared.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or SGA, was smooth and calm. He didn’t try to force things. He just played smart basketball. He had 34 points in Game 2 and a huge 35 points in Game 7. He made things look easy, but it was clear he was in control the whole time.
Other key players included:
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Jamal Murray (Nuggets): Had a big comeback in Game 6 after being sick.
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Jalen Williams (Thunder): Scored 24 points in Game 7 and gave OKC a strong push.
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Aaron Gordon (Nuggets): Scored well and helped with rebounds.
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Chet Holmgren (Thunder): Strong on defense and the boards.
Game-by-Game Player Stats Breakdown
Let’s take a closer look at what happened in each game, and who played the biggest roles.
Game 1 – Denver wins by 2 points.
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Jokić: 42 pts, 22 reb — unstoppable.
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SGA: 33 pts — solid performance, but Denver had the edge.
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Aaron Gordon: Hits a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Game 2 – Thunder blow out the Nuggets.
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SGA: 34 pts with almost perfect shooting.
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OKC scored 149 points, a franchise playoff record.
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Denver looked lost and out of rhythm.
Game 3 – Overtime thriller in Denver.
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Jamal Murray: 27 pts, key shots late.
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Jalen Williams: 32 pts, nearly stole the game for OKC.
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Denver wins with clutch plays in overtime.
Game 4 – Low-scoring defensive battle.
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SGA: 25 pts, led OKC’s offense.
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Jokić: 27 pts, 13 reb, but Thunder’s defense wins the game.
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OKC now leads the series 2–2.
Game 5 – OKC takes control.
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Jokić: 44 pts, monster performance.
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SGA: 31 pts, with help from Lu Dort’s defense and big plays.
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Thunder win at home and go up 3–2.
This was the point in the series where things got intense. Both teams knew the next game could change everything. Denver needed to win or go home. OKC wanted to finish it, but Denver wasn’t ready to give up yet.
Let’s pause here — we’ll continue with Game 6, Game 7, and all the surprises, stats, and big takeaways in the second half of the article.
Nikola Jokić: A Superstar Performance
In Game 6, Nikola Jokić did what he always does — lead by example. He scored 29 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and added 8 assists. Every time the Nuggets needed a bucket, Jokić delivered. He didn’t panic, didn’t rush. Just calm, smart basketball.
His passing was also key. When OKC sent double-teams, Jokić found open teammates. That helped players like Christian Braun and Jamal Murray get easy shots. Jokić’s leadership helped Denver force a Game 7. He looked like he refused to let the season end.
Over the full series, Jokić averaged around 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. Those numbers are amazing. He was clearly one of the best players in the Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder match player stats. He did everything he could.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Calm, Smart, and Clutch
Now let’s talk about the man who led OKC all the way — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also known as SGA. In Game 7, when the moment was biggest, he stepped up once again.
He scored 35 points, shot the ball with great accuracy, and never looked rushed. SGA didn’t just score — he passed the ball well and made smart plays. He found Jalen Williams on fast breaks, hit big shots when needed, and even played solid defense.
Throughout the series, SGA averaged close to 30 points per game, shot over 50%, and had about 6 assists per night. That’s not just good — that’s superstar level. He proved that he’s not only OKC’s future — he’s their present.
Jamal Murray: Sick But Still Fighting
Fans were worried about Jamal Murray early in the series. He didn’t look like his usual self. Reports said he had flu-like symptoms, and you could see it in his movement. His shooting was off, and his energy was low.
But in Game 6, he bounced back. He scored 25 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and had 7 assists. He looked stronger, more confident. It was one of his best games of the series and helped push Denver to Game 7.
Sadly, in the final game, Murray couldn’t repeat that magic. The Thunder defense was tight, and he only managed 13 points. Still, his comeback in Game 6 showed his heart and toughness.
Surprise Players Who Stole the Show
One of the most fun parts of the Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder match player stats was watching the unexpected heroes.
Christian Braun was one of them. In Game 6, he scored 23 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. He played like a veteran, not a young role player. His hustle and energy gave Denver a big lift when they needed it most.
Julian Strawther, another young Nugget, had a big moment too. In Game 6, he hit three important three-pointers in the second half. Each one helped keep Denver’s lead safe. Without those shots, the game could’ve changed fast.
For the Thunder, Jalen Williams showed he’s a rising star. In Game 7, he scored 24 points, with 17 in just one quarter. He played through wrist pain but didn’t let it slow him down. His quick drives and smart passes made him a real problem for Denver’s defense.
Defense and Turnovers: Thunder’s Winning Strategy
One of the biggest reasons OKC won the series was their defense. They played fast, smart, and aggressive. In Game 7, their defense completely shut down the Nuggets.
Here’s a huge stat: Denver had 23 turnovers in Game 7. That means they gave the ball away 23 times. OKC turned those mistakes into 35 fast break points. That’s a big reason they won by such a large margin.
Players like Alex Caruso and Lu Dort didn’t score much, but their defense was key. They pressured Jamal Murray, blocked passing lanes, and made life difficult for anyone in a Nuggets jersey. OKC didn’t just play with talent — they played with effort and focus.
Team Stats That Made a Big Difference
When we look at the full Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder match player stats, we see that it wasn’t just about who scored more. Team stats told the story.
OKC had:
The Nuggets were better at rebounding, especially with Jokić and Gordon. But that wasn’t enough in the end. OKC’s depth and teamwork made a big difference.
In Game 2, for example, the Thunder had eight players score in double digits. That’s amazing balance. The Nuggets mostly leaned on Jokić and Murray. That worked sometimes, but OKC had more options and energy off the bench.
What This Series Means for the Future
This series didn’t just entertain fans — it showed us what’s coming next in the NBA.
For the Thunder, this was a big step. They have a young team with big dreams. SGA is now a real superstar. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are improving fast. Their teamwork and growth make them strong playoff contenders, not just in 2025, but for years ahead.
For the Nuggets, the loss hurt. But all hope is not lost. Jokić is still one of the best players in the world. If Murray stays healthy and they get more help from the bench, they can come back even stronger next season. This may just be a short setback.
This series also showed that these two teams may have started a new rivalry. We could easily see more playoff battles between them in the future.
Bottom-Line
The Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder series gave us everything. Big shots. Bold moves. Clutch plays. And stars shining under pressure.
Nikola Jokić was brilliant. His numbers were off the charts. But in the end, OKC’s team effort, smart defense, and clutch plays from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made the difference.
Let’s not forget the surprises. Players like Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and Jalen Williams showed us the future is bright. They didn’t just fill space — they changed games.
So, whether you cheer for Denver, OKC, or just love good basketball, one thing’s clear — this series was something special. The Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder match player stats don’t just tell us who scored more. They tell a story of heart, hustle, and playoff magic.
And that’s what makes basketball so great.
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