The Denver Nuggets are the defending NBA champions with Jokic as the league's best player and a proven championship core, while the Oklahoma City Thunder are a rising young team with elite defensive prowess and three future Hall-of-Famers still in their primes. The Nuggets have established winning culture but face aging concerns, while the Thunder have the longer timeline and potentially more upside.
Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
2023 NBA Champions led by MVP Nikola Jokic with balanced scoring and offensive efficiency.
Young, rising team with elite defense led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and emerging prospects.
Championships (Last 3 Years). Defensive Rating (2024-25 Season). Offensive Rating (2024-25 Season). Payroll (2024-25 Season). Win-Loss Record (through Jan 2025). Average Player Age. NBA Finals Appearances (Last 3 Years)
Choose the Denver Nuggets if you prioritize proven championship experience, elite offensive firepower with Jokic, and a roster that's peaked and ready to win now despite higher costs. Choose the Oklahoma City Thunder if you value exceptional defensive discipline, long-term sustainability with younger stars (SGA, Chet, Jaylin), and a team positioned to dominate for the next 5+ years with better financial flexibility.
Denver Nuggets: 27.2 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 113.8 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 107.2 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 1 (2023) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)
Denver Nuggets: 7.8 (Murray) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 37.2% | Oklahoma City Thunder: 38.1%
Denver Nuggets: $182M | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 33.6 PPG | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 30.1 PPG
Denver Nuggets: 112.8 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 110.2
Denver Nuggets: 57-25 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 56-26
Denver Nuggets: 27.8 years | Oklahoma City Thunder: 24.8
Denver Nuggets: 118.3 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 116.2
Denver Nuggets: 5 (all 5 years) | Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 of 5
Denver Nuggets: 1 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: +7.7 | Oklahoma City Thunder: +7.9
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic (MVP) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 28.4 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 28.4
Denver Nuggets: 37.8% | Oklahoma City Thunder: 37.2%
Denver Nuggets: Finals (2024) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 129 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 126
Denver Nuggets: Away - Denver, CO | Oklahoma City Thunder: Home - Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Denver Nuggets: 23 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 42.9% (6-14 FG) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 50% (2-4 3P) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 90% (9-10 FT) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: +14 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: Jokic 3P (0:08 remaining) - 125-126 | Oklahoma City Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander stepback 3P (0:03 remaining) - 126-129
Denver Nuggets: 1 (2024) | Oklahoma City Thunder: 0
Denver Nuggets: 35-18 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 108.9 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 50.1% | Oklahoma City Thunder: 48.1%
Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard True Shooting %
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic 63.4% | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Playoff Finals Appearances (Franchise History)
Denver Nuggets: 3 (2023, 2024, 2009 runner-up) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Nikola Jokic vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Best Player Comparison)
Denver Nuggets: 29.1 PPG / 9.0 APG / 66.3% eFG% (Jokic) | Oklahoma City Thunder: 30.1 PPG / 6.5 APG / 60.1% eFG% (SGA)
Denver Nuggets: 117.3 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 115.9
Denver Nuggets: 28-16 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 32-12
Denver Nuggets: $195.7M | Oklahoma City Thunder: $176.4M
Denver Nuggets: 29.2 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 24.8
Denver Nuggets: 2 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 0
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 2.8 BPG
Denver Nuggets: 1 (2023) | Oklahoma City Thunder: 0
2023-2024 Regular Season Points Per Game
Denver Nuggets: 113.2 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
2023-2024 Regular Season Defensive Rating
Denver Nuggets: 111.6 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 1 (Nikola Jokic, 2024) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Western Conference Finals Appearances (2021-2024)
Denver Nuggets: 3 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 16-4 | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard 2023-2024 PPG
Denver Nuggets: 30.1 (Jokic) | Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A
Denver Nuggets: 29-15 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 36-8
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic 27.8 PPG | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 29.3 PPG
Denver Nuggets: 3 (Nikola Jokic 2021, 2022, 2024) | Oklahoma City Thunder: 0
Denver Nuggets: 30.1 years | Oklahoma City Thunder: 24.3 years
Denver Nuggets: $218 million | Oklahoma City Thunder: $165 million
Denver Nuggets: 119.3 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 116.8
Denver Nuggets: 109.8 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 105.2
Denver Nuggets: 28.1 (Jokic) | Oklahoma City Thunder: 30.1 (SGA)
Denver Nuggets: 11.2 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 8.1
Denver Nuggets: $184 million (in luxury tax) | Oklahoma City Thunder: $134 million ($50M under)
Denver Nuggets: 113.2 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 114.8
Denver Nuggets: 107.8 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 105.2
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic - 24.5 | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 30.1
Denver Nuggets: 3 All-Stars | Oklahoma City Thunder: 2 All-Stars
Denver Nuggets: 27.3 | Oklahoma City Thunder: 24.1
Denver Nuggets: Limited (2-3) | Oklahoma City Thunder: Extensive (8+)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 36-12
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.1 PPG
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 47.1
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 28.4
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 8.9
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 116.8
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 28.3
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 2nd (West)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 37.9%
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 117.8
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st (Western)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 All-Stars
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st seed
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 47-22
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 118.5
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 109.3
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 30.2 (SGA)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 0
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 4
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Elite)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 6 seasons
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Never
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 48-52
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 115.2
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 57-16
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 10.9 (SGA)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 10+ (Holmgren)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 110 points
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Led 52-46 at halftime
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Williams, Holmgren, SGA balanced attack
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 46.2
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st (West)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: -5.5 (leading)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 65-17
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 3
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st
Current Win-Loss Record (2024-25 season)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 40-12
Net Rating (scoring margin per 100 possessions)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: +10.6
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 (Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, Dort)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st (projected)
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 47-15
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 99%
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: +400
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: $163M
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 36.2%
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 52-30
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: +9.5
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 9
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: $145.8M
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 32-10
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 38.1%
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: +8.9
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st Seed
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 38-8
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 28.4
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 112.4
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 105.2
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.1
Denver Nuggets: N/A | Oklahoma City Thunder: 37.2%
How to choose between Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder
Compare Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder. Contains 132 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder.
Who is more likely to win the 2025 NBA Championship?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have the best odds according to major sportsbooks (around +800 to +900), primarily due to their elite defense, best record in the NBA, and three All-Star caliber players in their primes. The Nuggets are second favorites (+1000 to +1200) despite having the best individual player because their defense ranks 26th in the league, making them vulnerable in playoff series. Recent championship trends favor teams with elite defenses.
How do their playoff experiences compare?
Denver has significantly more recent playoff experience: they reached the Finals in both 2023 (won championship) and 2024, giving them tested chemistry in high-pressure moments. Oklahoma City hasn't reached the Finals yet—they exited in the first round in 2024 after the regular season collapse. However, the Thunder added several veterans (Isaiah Hartenstein, Derrick Jones Jr.) specifically to address this playoff inexperience gap.
Which team has better long-term sustainability?
Oklahoma City Thunder have the significant advantage here: their core (SGA age 26, Chet age 21, Jaylin age 23) won't peak for 3-5 more years, they have $20M more payroll flexibility, and they've built through the draft and smart trades. Denver's core (Jokic age 29, Murray age 27) is entering or past peak earning years, and their expensive roster makes it hard to add difference-maker depth without major trades.
Denver's main weakness is defense—they allow 112.8 points per 100 possessions (26th in league), making them exploitable in playoff half-court situations against elite defensive teams. Oklahoma City's weakness is playoff experience and bench depth—their success is heavily dependent on the Big 3, and they haven't proven they can survive injuries to star players in a playoff series.
Can Denver catch Oklahoma City in the standings this season?
It's mathematically possible but unlikely. As of late January 2025, Oklahoma City leads the West by 4 games with a better win percentage (72.7% vs 63.6%). Denver would need to significantly outpace the Thunder's win rate over the remaining games, which they haven't shown the ability to do given the Thunder's elite performance. However, playoff seeding matters less than matchups—a Nuggets-Thunder Finals matchup could swing either direction.
How to Choose Between Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder
Championships (Last 3 Years): Denver Nuggets has 1 (2023), while Oklahoma City Thunder has 0.
Consider: Defensive Rating (2024-25 Season)
Defensive Rating (2024-25 Season): Denver Nuggets has 112.8 points per 100 possessions, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 110.2 points per 100 possessions.
Consider: Offensive Rating (2024-25 Season)
Offensive Rating (2024-25 Season): Denver Nuggets has 117.3 points per 100 possessions, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 115.9 points per 100 possessions.
Payroll (2024-25 Season): Denver Nuggets has $195.7 million, while Oklahoma City Thunder has $176.4 million.
Consider: Win-Loss Record (through Jan 2025)
Win-Loss Record (through Jan 2025): Denver Nuggets has 28-16 (63.6% win rate), while Oklahoma City Thunder has 32-12 (72.7% win rate).
Average Player Age: Denver Nuggets has 28.2 years, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 24.8 years.
Consider: NBA Finals Appearances (Last 3 Years)
NBA Finals Appearances (Last 3 Years): Denver Nuggets has 2 (2023, 2024), while Oklahoma City Thunder has 0.