The 2025 NBA Playoffs gave us many exciting games, but one series stood out the most — the Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder. This wasn’t just any regular playoff matchup. It was fast, intense, emotional, and full of surprises. From huge dunks to amazing buzzer-beaters, this series had everything basketball fans love.
In this article, we’ll take a deep and easy-to-understand look at the Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder match player stats. We’ll go through who played the best, who surprised everyone, and how the numbers tell the full story. Whether you watched the games or missed them, this guide will help you catch up on every big moment. Let’s jump into it!
When and Where Did the Series Happen?
The Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder faced each other in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The series began on May 5, 2025, and ended with a thrilling Game 7 on May 18, 2025.
The games were played both in Denver’s Ball Arena and OKC’s Paycom Center. Each team had their home-court advantage for different games. Since this was a best-of-seven series, the first team to win four games would move on to the next round. The Thunder had the better regular-season record, so they hosted the first and last game.
Final Series Score: Who Won the Battle?
After seven hard-fought games, the Oklahoma City Thunder won the series 4–3. It was not easy for them, though. The Denver Nuggets gave everything they had. Each game felt like a final. The Thunder closed the series with a huge win in Game 7, beating Denver 125–93.
Here’s a quick look at the game results:
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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
This final score shows just how close and competitive the series really was.
Top Stars to Watch in the Series
In every great playoff series, some players step up and shine brighter than others. For the Nuggets, Nikola Jokić was the leader. He played like a true superstar in nearly every game. His stats were huge, and he carried the team on his back, especially in Game 1 and Game 5.
On the other side, the Thunder had Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or SGA as fans call him. He played with confidence, skill, and calm under pressure. He led his team in scoring and playmaking.
Other key players included:
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Jamal Murray (Nuggets): Battled illness but still scored big in Game 6.
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Jalen Williams (Thunder): Had a huge night in Game 7 with 24 points.
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Chet Holmgren (Thunder): Strong in rebounds and defense.
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Aaron Gordon (Nuggets): Gave solid support with scoring and boards.
Each of these stars had moments where they took over the game.
Game-by-Game Player Stats Overview
Let’s take a quick walk through the games and see who performed best in each one.
Game 1: Jokić went off with 42 points and 22 rebounds. It was a monster game. He looked unstoppable. SGA still played well with 33 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop Denver.
Game 2: The Thunder answered back hard. SGA scored 34 points, and the whole team lit up the scoreboard. They dropped 149 points, which was a playoff record for OKC. Denver struggled badly in this one.
Game 3: This one went to overtime. Jalen Williams had a great game with 32 points, but Jamal Murray responded with 27 points for Denver, helping them win at home.
Game 4: A tough, low-scoring game. SGA again led OKC with 25 points. Jokić added 27 points and 13 rebounds, but the Thunder defense locked down in the final minutes.
Game 5: Jokić had another superstar performance with 44 points and 15 rebounds. But OKC still won, thanks to SGA’s 31 points and some big plays from Lu Dort.
Game 6: Denver’s turn to fight back. Jokić scored 29 points, and Jamal Murray (even while sick) added 25 points. Young guard Christian Braun stepped up with 23 points, helping Denver force Game 7.
Game 7: The final game. OKC dominated. SGA scored 35 points, and Jalen Williams added 24 points. The Thunder defense was fierce, forcing 23 turnovers from Denver.
Every game had different heroes, but SGA and Jokić stayed at the center of the action from start to finish.
Nikola Jokić’s Incredible Numbers
Nikola Jokić showed once again why he’s one of the best players in the world. His numbers were amazing across the series. He did everything — score, rebound, pass, even play defense.
Here’s how he did:
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Averaged about 28.4 points per game
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Grabbed nearly 14 rebounds per game
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Added around 6 assists each night
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Shot the ball well, even hit 3-pointers in big moments
In Game 1, he had 42 points and 22 rebounds, one of the best playoff games ever by a center. Then in Game 5, he scored 44 points and almost led his team to a comeback win.
Even in the final loss, he had 20 points, but OKC’s defense made sure he couldn’t take over.
It’s clear: Jokić did everything he could. The stats show it. But sometimes, even a superstar can’t win alone.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-Like Performance
Now let’s talk about the Thunder’s star — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. If you watched the games, you saw it: he played like an MVP. Calm. Smooth. Clutch. He didn’t force anything, but he always made the right move.
His numbers were just as strong:
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Averaged around 30 points per game
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Shot above 50% from the field
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Made big free throws when it counted
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Helped his teammates with over 6 assists per game
In Game 2, he scored 34 points with nearly perfect shooting. In Game 7, he finished the series with 35 points, leading OKC to a blowout win.
Shai showed everyone he’s not just a rising star — he’s a superstar. His player stats were key in winning the Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder matchup.
Jamal Murray’s Struggle and Comeback
Jamal Murray had a tough series. At first, fans were worried. He didn’t look like himself. Reports said he was sick, and it showed in Games 1 through 5. He struggled to find rhythm, and Denver missed his usual firepower.
But in Game 6, things changed. He pushed through the illness and dropped 25 points, along with 8 rebounds and 7 assists. His strong play helped Denver win and force Game 7.
Unfortunately, in the final game, he couldn’t repeat that. The Thunder defense pressured him, and he couldn’t find open shots. Still, Murray’s Game 6 performance was a reminder of what he can do when he’s at his best.
Rising Stars Who Surprised Everyone
Sometimes, the biggest impact doesn’t come from the biggest names. That happened in this series too.
Let’s start with Christian Braun. In Game 6, he came off the bench and scored 23 points with 11 rebounds. He was active on both ends and gave Denver a huge boost.
Another surprise? Julian Strawther. He played limited minutes, but in Game 6, he hit three big three-pointers, helping Denver keep their lead in the second half.
On the Thunder side, Jalen Williams became a star in Game 7. With SGA leading, Williams added 24 points, including 17 in the second quarter. He played through wrist pain but didn’t let that stop him.
It’s players like these who turn playoff games. Their names may not be the biggest — yet — but their impact was huge in the Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder match player stats story.
Defense, Turnovers, and Strategy
Let’s talk about one of the biggest reasons the Thunder won the series — defense. The Thunder played smart, quick, and aggressive defense throughout the seven games. In Game 7 especially, they completely shut down the Nuggets’ offense.
Here’s one big example: In that final game, OKC forced 23 turnovers. That means Denver lost the ball 23 times — either by bad passes, steals, or traveling. These mistakes gave the Thunder fast break chances, and they took full advantage. They scored over 35 points off turnovers, which made a huge difference in the final score.
The Thunder also used their bench players really well. Players like Alex Caruso and Lu Dort were tough defenders. They didn’t score a lot, but they made life very hard for Denver’s guards. It’s a great example of how strategy and team effort can beat even a superstar like Jokić.
Team Stats That Made a Difference
When we look at the full Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder match player stats, it’s not just about points. Team stats tell the full story.
The Thunder had:
Meanwhile, Denver often won in rebounding, especially with Jokić and Aaron Gordon grabbing boards. But it wasn’t always enough.
For example, in Game 2, the Thunder had eight players score double digits. That’s amazing balance. The Nuggets usually relied on 2 or 3 main scorers. Over time, this depth helped OKC pull away in close games.
So while both teams had stars, OKC had the edge in teamwork, ball movement, and energy.
What This Matchup Means for the Future
This series wasn’t just exciting — it showed us what’s coming next in the NBA.
For the Thunder, this win proves they are ready to compete for a championship. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now a true superstar. Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and the bench all showed they’re ready to help him win. The Thunder’s young core is strong, and fans have every reason to be excited.
For the Nuggets, this was a tough loss. But there’s still hope. Nikola Jokić is still one of the best players in the world. If Jamal Murray stays healthy and the team adds more support, they’ll be back strong next season.
This series may be over, but the rivalry is just beginning. We could see Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder in many more playoff battles to come.
Bottom-Line
The 2025 playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and OKC Thunder gave fans everything — big plays, high scores, clutch moments, and strong defense. It reminded us why we love basketball.
Nikola Jokić showed his heart and talent in every game. His stats were crazy good. But even his greatness couldn’t stop the Thunder’s fast and fearless play. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stepped up as a true leader. His smooth style and sharp thinking made a huge difference.
Let’s not forget the surprises. Players like Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and Jalen Williams made this series unforgettable. It wasn’t just about stats — it was about energy, effort, and smart play.
So whether you’re a Nuggets fan, a Thunder fan, or just someone who loves basketball, one thing’s for sure: this matchup will be remembered for a long time.
The Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder match player stats tell a powerful story of talent, teamwork, and the kind of playoff magic that makes the NBA so special.
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