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
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.
Compare Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets
Young, rising team with elite defense led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and emerging prospects.
2023 NBA Champions led by MVP Nikola Jokic with balanced scoring and offensive efficiency.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets with 132 attributes.
Current Win-Loss Record (2024-25 season)
Net Rating (scoring margin per 100 possessions)
Nikola Jokic vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Best Player Comparison)
Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)
Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard True Shooting %
Playoff Finals Appearances (Franchise History)
2023-2024 Regular Season Points Per Game
2023-2024 Regular Season Defensive Rating
Western Conference Finals Appearances (2021-2024)
Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard 2023-2024 PPG
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).