The Denver Nuggets have won an NBA championship (2023) and feature reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, while the Oklahoma City Thunder are a younger, rapidly improving team with the best record in the Western Conference (2024-25 season) and no championship history. The Thunder represent the future with elite defense and depth, while the Nuggets remain the defending champions with a proven star.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Western Conference leader with elite offensive efficiency and balanced scoring depth
2023 NBA Champions with a historically great MVP-caliber point guard and established winning culture.
2024-25 Regular Season Record. NBA Championships Won. Current Best Player. Defensive Rating (2024-25). Franchise Age. Core Player Age Average. Payroll (2024-25 Season)
Choose the Denver Nuggets if you value proven championship pedigree, the best individual star player in Nikola Jokic, and want to see an established contender with postseason experience. Choose the Oklahoma City Thunder if you prefer watching an ascendant team with elite defense, exceptional depth, a generational talent in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the best regular season record with room to grow, representing the future of the NBA.
Oklahoma City Thunder: 36-12 | Denver Nuggets: N/A
Oklahoma City Thunder: 116.2 | Denver Nuggets: 118.3
Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.1 PPG | Denver Nuggets: N/A
Oklahoma City Thunder: 37.2% | Denver Nuggets: 37.8%
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: 28.1 (SGA) | Denver Nuggets: N/A
Oklahoma City Thunder: 28.3 | Denver Nuggets: N/A
Oklahoma City Thunder: 28.4 | Denver Nuggets: 28.4
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: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 33.6 PPG
Oklahoma City Thunder: 30.1 PPG | Denver Nuggets: N/A
Oklahoma City Thunder: 110.2 | Denver Nuggets: 112.8
Oklahoma City Thunder: 56-26 | Denver Nuggets: 57-25
Oklahoma City Thunder: 0 | Denver Nuggets: 1 (2024)
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: 24.8 | Denver Nuggets: 27.8 years
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: 126 | Denver Nuggets: 129
Oklahoma City Thunder: Home - Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK | Denver Nuggets: Away - Denver, CO
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | 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: Gilgeous-Alexander stepback 3P (0:03 remaining) - 126-129 | Denver Nuggets: Jokic 3P (0:08 remaining) - 125-126
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: +7.9 | Denver Nuggets: +7.7
Oklahoma City Thunder: 25.3 | Denver Nuggets: N/A
Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 | Denver Nuggets: N/A
Oklahoma City Thunder: 1st | Denver Nuggets: N/A
Current Win-Loss Record (2024-25 season)
Oklahoma City Thunder: 40-12 | Denver Nuggets: N/A
Net Rating (scoring margin per 100 possessions)
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
Nikola Jokic vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Best Player Comparison)
Oklahoma City Thunder: 30.1 PPG / 6.5 APG / 60.1% eFG% (SGA) | Denver Nuggets: 29.1 PPG / 9.0 APG / 66.3% eFG% (Jokic)
Oklahoma City Thunder: 115.9 | Denver Nuggets: 117.3
Oklahoma City Thunder: 32-12 | Denver Nuggets: 28-16
Oklahoma City Thunder: $176.4M | Denver Nuggets: $195.7M
Oklahoma City Thunder: 0 | Denver Nuggets: 2
Oklahoma City Thunder: 2.8 BPG | 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: 24.8 | Denver Nuggets: 29.2
Oklahoma City Thunder: 36-8 | Denver Nuggets: 29-15
Oklahoma City Thunder: 0 | Denver Nuggets: 1 (2023)
Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 29.3 PPG | Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic 27.8 PPG
Oklahoma City Thunder: 0 | Denver Nuggets: 3 (Nikola Jokic 2021, 2022, 2024)
Oklahoma City Thunder: 24.3 years | Denver Nuggets: 30.1 years
Oklahoma City Thunder: $165 million | Denver Nuggets: $218 million
Oklahoma City Thunder: 116.8 | Denver Nuggets: 119.3
Oklahoma City Thunder: 105.2 | Denver Nuggets: 109.8
Oklahoma City Thunder: 30.1 (SGA) | Denver Nuggets: 28.1 (Jokic)
Oklahoma City Thunder: 8.1 | Denver Nuggets: 11.2
Oklahoma City Thunder: 38.1% | Denver Nuggets: 37.2%
Oklahoma City Thunder: $134 million ($50M under) | Denver Nuggets: $184 million (in luxury tax)
Oklahoma City Thunder: 32-10 | Denver Nuggets: N/A
Oklahoma City Thunder: 108.3 | Denver Nuggets: 109.2
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: 5 of 5 | Denver Nuggets: 5 (all 5 years)
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% | Denver Nuggets: N/A
Oklahoma City Thunder: 48.1% | Denver Nuggets: 50.1%
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | 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)
Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 7.8 (Murray)
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: $182M
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 1
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic (MVP)
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: Finals (2024)
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 35-18
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 108.9
Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard True Shooting %
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic 63.4%
Playoff Finals Appearances (Franchise History)
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 3 (2023, 2024, 2009 runner-up)
2023-2024 Regular Season Points Per Game
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 113.2
2023-2024 Regular Season Defensive Rating
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 111.6
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 1 (Nikola Jokic, 2024)
Western Conference Finals Appearances (2021-2024)
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 3
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 16-4
Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard 2023-2024 PPG
Oklahoma City Thunder: N/A | Denver Nuggets: 30.1 (Jokic)
How to choose between Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets
Compare Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets. Contains 127 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets.
Why are the Thunder performing so much better than the Nuggets this season?
The Thunder are younger, deeper, and more defensively cohesive (106.8 vs 109.2 DRtg), with less reliance on a single star. Their 36-8 record reflects elite team basketball. The Nuggets are slightly aging (Jokic 29) and appear to be in a maintenance phase after winning the 2023 championship, managing minutes and energy for playoffs.
Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander better than Nikola Jokic?
Jokic is the more complete and accomplished player with 3 MVP awards and a championship ring, ranking among all-time greats. However, Gilgeous-Alexander is the better perimeter scorer right now (29.3 vs 27.8 PPG) and is in his prime, making him an MVP candidate. Different skill sets make direct comparison difficult, but Jokic's resume remains superior.
Who is more likely to win the 2025 NBA Finals?
The Thunder have the better odds based on current regular season dominance and depth, but the Nuggets' championship experience and Jokic's proven ability to elevate in playoffs cannot be discounted. Vegas odds as of January 2025 favor the Thunder, but the Nuggets remain Finals contenders with a healthy roster.
Which team has a better long-term future?
The Thunder appear positioned for sustained excellence with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (age 26) under contract, a young core (average age 24.3), and financial flexibility. The Nuggets, while still competitive, are investing heavily in aging stars and have less salary cap flexibility, making the Thunder's trajectory more promising for 2025-2030.
How many Finals appearances does each team have?
The Nuggets have won 1 championship (2023) with multiple Finals appearances in their history. The Thunder organization relocated from Seattle (SuperSonics) in 1996 and has never reached an NBA Finals, though the SuperSonics won in 1979 (pre-relocation legacy not typically counted for OKC).
How to Choose Between Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets
2024-25 Regular Season Record: Oklahoma City Thunder has 36-8 (as of Jan 2025), while Denver Nuggets has 29-15 (as of Jan 2025).
NBA Championships Won: Oklahoma City Thunder has 0, while Denver Nuggets has 1 (2023).
Current Best Player: Oklahoma City Thunder has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (MVP candidate), while Denver Nuggets has Nikola Jokic (3x MVP, 2023 Finals MVP).
Defensive Rating (2024-25): Oklahoma City Thunder has 106.8 PPG allowed per 100 possessions, while Denver Nuggets has 109.2 PPG allowed per 100 possessions.
Franchise Age: Oklahoma City Thunder has 25 years (relocated 1996), while Denver Nuggets has 50+ years (joined NBA 1976).
Core Player Age Average: Oklahoma City Thunder has 24.3 years (Gilgeous-Alexander 26, Dort 26, Hartenstein 25), while Denver Nuggets has 30.1 years (Jokic 29, Murray 27, Murray 27).
Payroll (2024-25 Season): Oklahoma City Thunder has $165 million, while Denver Nuggets has $218 million.