The Denver Nuggets remain among the NBA's elite teams with their championship-caliber roster anchored by Jokic, while the Oklahoma City Thunder have established themselves as Western Conference contenders with exceptional depth and defensive prowess. Both franchises feature dynamic offensive weapons and will compete heavily for playoff positioning throughout the season.
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.
Championship History. 2024-25 Win-Loss Record. Star Player (MVP Caliber). Defensive Rating (2024-25). Average Roster Age. Projected Payroll 2024-25. Three-Point Shooting Percentage
The Denver Nuggets remain the more proven championship contender with Jokic's elite playmaking and scoring, but the Oklahoma City Thunder present a legitimate threat with superior depth, youth, and defense. Choose the Nuggets if you value championship pedigree and superstar dominance; choose the Thunder if you prefer a balanced, sustainable roster built for long-term success.
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 the better team right now in 2025-26?
Based on 2024-25 regular season performance (as of January 2025), the Oklahoma City Thunder hold a slight edge with a 39-26 record versus Denver's 37-28. However, the Nuggets' championship experience and superstar Nikola Jokic give them the edge in playoff scenarios. The Thunder's defense (105.2 rating) is significantly superior to Denver's (109.8 rating), but Jokic's playmaking (11.2 APG) and Denver's offensive firepower (119.3 PPG) remain elite.
Can the Oklahoma City Thunder win a championship soon?
Yes, the Thunder have a legitimate championship window. They possess the NBA's best defense, elite two-way star in SGA, and significant roster flexibility with $50 million in salary cap space. However, they lack championship experience—their only playoff series win since 2012 was in 2024. The Nuggets' proven 2023 championship and playoff experience gives them an advantage in clutch moments, but Thunder's youth (average age 24.8) and organizational stability suggest sustained contention for 5+ years.
How much longer will the Nuggets compete at this level?
The Nuggets face challenges: their average roster age of 29.2 years suggests a 2-3 year prime window. Jokic (age 29) is still elite, but Jamal Murray (27) and other key players are entering their early 30s. The $184 million luxury tax payroll also limits upgrading depth pieces. Denver can contend through 2026-27, but roster deterioration is inevitable without significant moves. Contrast this with Thunder's 24.8 average age and $50M cap space for sustained builds.
The Oklahoma City Thunder's defense is substantially better. They rank 1st in the NBA with a 105.2 defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions), while Denver ranks 21st at 109.8. The Thunder have multiple capable defenders (SGA, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren) and a defensive culture. Denver's defense has been a weakness, contributing to playoff struggles. This defensive advantage is critical in playoffs where shooting regresses and defense determines outcomes.
Who should I pick for my fantasy team or playoff predictions?
For 2025-26, lean Thunder for regular season wins and defensive consistency. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is posting 30.1 PPG with elite defense, while the team's balanced scoring (6 players at 12+ PPG) provides reliable depth. For playoff contention and clutch moments, Jokic and the Nuggets' experience provides slight edge. Thunder are the safer regular-season bet; Nuggets are the proven playoff bet. Monitor Denver's health in February and March, as aging rosters suffer injuries more frequently.
How to Choose Between Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder
Championship History: Denver Nuggets has 1 NBA Championship (2023), while Oklahoma City Thunder has 0 NBA Championships.
2024-25 Win-Loss Record: Denver Nuggets has 37-28 (as of Jan 2025), while Oklahoma City Thunder has 39-26 (as of Jan 2025).
Star Player (MVP Caliber): Denver Nuggets has Nikola Jokic (3x MVP, 2.67 APG), while Oklahoma City Thunder has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (All-Star, 8.8 APG).
Defensive Rating (2024-25): Denver Nuggets has 109.8 points per 100 possessions, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 105.2 points per 100 possessions.
Average Roster Age: Denver Nuggets has 29.2 years, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 24.8 years.
Projected Payroll 2024-25: Denver Nuggets has $184 million (luxury tax), while Oklahoma City Thunder has $134 million (under cap).
Consider: Three-Point Shooting Percentage
Three-Point Shooting Percentage: Denver Nuggets has 37.2%, while Oklahoma City Thunder has 38.1%.