Western Conference team that fell just short in an exciting road loss
Fans seeking immediate championship contention and established star power
NBA Western Conference leaders with MVP-caliber star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Fans interested in young talent development and future championship potential
The Denver Nuggets are the defending NBA champions with star players like Nikola Jokic, while the Oklahoma City Thunder are a younger, high-potential team led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Nuggets have established playoff success, whereas the Thunder are rebuilding with promising draft picks and emerging talent.
The Denver Nuggets remain the more established championship-caliber team with proven playoff success and an elite MVP-level player in Jokic. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder represent a compelling young roster with better defensive efficiency and significant future potential for sustained success. The choice depends on whether you value current championship contention or long-term growth prospects.
Choose Denver Nuggets if
Fans seeking immediate championship contention and established star power
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| Metric | Denver Nuggets | Oklahoma City Thunder | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG) | 27.2 | — | — |
| Team Offensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions) | 113.8 | — | — |
| Team Defensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions) | 107.2 | — | — |
| Championships Won(titles) | 1 (2023) | — | — |
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Choose Oklahoma City Thunder if
Fans interested in young talent development and future championship potential
| Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)(APG) | 7.8 (Murray) | — | — |
| Three-Point Shooting Percentage(%) | 36.8 | — | — |
| Average Team Payroll (2025-26)(Million USD) | $182M | — | — |
| Nikola Jokic Points Per Game(PPG) | 33.6 PPG | N/A | — |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Points Per Game(PPG) | N/A | 30.1 PPG | — |
| Team Defensive Rating(DRTG) | 108.2 | 105.8 | +2% |
| 2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins) | 57-25 | 56-26 | +2% |
| NBA Championship Titles(Titles) | 1 (2023) | 0 | — |
| Average Team Age(years) | 27.8 years | 24.8 | +12% |
| Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 118.2 | 119.3 | — |
| Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(appearances) | 5 of 5 | 2 of 5 | +150% |
| Championship Titles(titles) | 1 | — | — |
| Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 110.5 | 108.5 | +2% |
| Net Rating(points per 100 possessions) | +7.7 | — | — |
| Bench Scoring(points per game) | 28.4 | 26.4 | +8% |
| Three-Point Percentage(percent) | 37.8% | 37.4% | +1% |
| Final Score(points) | 129 | 126 | +2% |
| Aaron Gordon Points(points) | 23 | N/A | — |
| Aaron Gordon Field Goal %(%) | 42.9% (6-14 FG) | N/A | — |
| Aaron Gordon Three-Point %(%) | 50% (2-4 3P) | N/A | — |
| Aaron Gordon Free Throw %(%) | 90% (9-10 FT) | N/A | — |
| Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating) | +14 | N/A | — |
| Leading Scorer PPG(Points Per Game) | 33.4 (SGA) | 33.4 (SGA) | — |
| Rebounds Per Game (Team)(rebounds) | 47.1 | 47.1 | — |
| Assists Per Game (Team)(assists) | 28.4 | 28.4 | — |
| Steals Per Game (Team)(steals) | 8.9 | 8.9 | — |
| Points Per Game (Team Scoring)(PPG) | 116.8 | 116.8 | — |
| Leading Scorer Average(PPG) | 28.1 (SGA) | 28.1 (SGA) | — |
| Team Assists Per Game(APG) | 28.3 | 28.3 | — |
| Playoff Seed Position(Seed Ranking) | 2nd (West) | 2nd (West) | — |
| 3-Point Percentage(percent) | 37.9% | 37.9% | — |
| Average Points Per Game(points) | 117.8 | 117.8 | — |
| Conference Rank(position) | 1st (Western) | 1st (Western) | — |
| All-Star Selections(players) | 3 All-Stars | 3 All-Stars | — |
| Playoff Seed(position) | 1st seed | 1st seed | — |
| Points Per Game(PPG) | 118.5 | 118.5 | — |
| Points Allowed Per Game(PPG) | 109.3 | 109.3 | — |
| Star Player PPG Average(PPG) | 30.2 (SGA) | 30.2 (SGA) | — |
| Field Goal Percentage(%) | 48.2% | 48.2% | — |
| Rebounds Per Game(RPG) | 47.1 | 47.1 | — |
| All-Time Championships(titles) | 0 | 0 | — |
| Playoff Appearances (2021-2026)(appearances) | 4 | 4 | — |
| Coach Tenure(seasons) | 6 seasons | 6 seasons | — |
| Expected Win Total (2025-26)(wins) | 48-52 | 48-52 | — |
| Offensive Rating Potential(points per 100) | 115.2 | 115.2 | — |
| Assists Leader APG(Assists Per Game) | 10.9 (SGA) | 10.9 (SGA) | — |
| Rebounds Leader RPG(Rebounds Per Game) | 10+ (Holmgren) | 10+ (Holmgren) | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated May 2026.
Denver Nuggets
2023 NBA Champions🏆
Oklahoma City Thunder
No championships
Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic (3x MVP)🏆
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (rising star)
Denver Nuggets
Multiple Finals appearances🏆
Oklahoma City Thunder
Early-stage rebuilding phase
Denver Nuggets
Prime/veteran roster
Oklahoma City Thunder
Young and developing🏆
Denver Nuggets
Limited future picks
Oklahoma City Thunder
Multiple future assets🏆
Denver Nuggets
108.2 (2024-25 season)
Oklahoma City Thunder
105.8 (2024-25 season)🏆
Denver Nuggets
Consistent contenders
Oklahoma City Thunder
Rapidly improving record
Nikola Jokic is a 3-time NBA MVP with more playoff experience and championship success, averaging 33.6 PPG in 2024-25. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an emerging star averaging 30.1 PPG and is considered an MVP candidate for future seasons. Jokic has established dominance, while SGA represents the future of the Thunder franchise.
Dive deeper with these curated resources
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG) | 27.2 | — |
| Kawhi Leonard Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG) | N/A | — |
| Team Offensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions) | 113.8 | — |
| Team Defensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions) | 107.2 | — |
| Championships Won(titles) | 1 (2023) | — |
| Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)(APG) | 7.8 (Murray) | — |
| Three-Point Shooting Percentage(%) | 36.8 | — |
| Aaron Gordon Field Goal %(%) | 42.9% (6-14 FG) | N/A |
| Aaron Gordon Three-Point %(%) | 50% (2-4 3P) | N/A |
| Aaron Gordon Free Throw %(%) | 90% (9-10 FT) | N/A |
| Field Goal Percentage(%) | 48.2% | — |
| Average Team Payroll (2025-26)(Million USD) | $182M | — |
| Nikola Jokic Points Per Game(PPG) | 33.6 PPG | N/A |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Points Per Game(PPG) | N/A | 30.1 PPG |
| Team Defensive Rating(DRTG) | 108.2 | 105.8 |
| 2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins) | 57-25 | 56-26 |
| Wins-Losses Record(W-L) | 48-22 | — |
| Regular Season Record(Wins-Losses) | 57-16 | — |
| Conference Standing(Seed Position) | 1st Seed | — |
| NBA Championship Titles(Titles) | 1 (2023) | 0 |
| Average Team Age(years) | 27.8 years | 24.8 |
| Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 118.2 | 119.3 |
| Assists Per Game (Team)(assists) | 28.4 | — |
| Points Per Game (Team Scoring)(PPG) | 116.8 | — |
| Points Per Game(PPG) | 118.5 | — |
| Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(appearances) | 5 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Season Record (2025-26)(wins-losses) | 47-22 | — |
| Championship Titles(titles) | 1 | — |
| Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions) | 110.5 | 108.5 |
| Steals Per Game (Team)(steals) | 8.9 | — |
| Net Rating(points per 100 possessions) | +7.7 | — |
| Star Player (Primary) | Nikola Jokic (MVP) | — |
| Star Player PPG Average(PPG) | 30.2 (SGA) | — |
| Bench Scoring(points per game) | 28.4 | 26.4 |
| Three-Point Percentage(percent) | 37.8% | 37.4% |
| 3-Point Percentage(percent) | 37.9% | — |
| Most Recent Playoff Round | Finals (2024) | — |
| Last Conference Finals Appearance(year) | Never | — |
| Final Score(points) | 129 | 126 |
| Location | Away - Denver, CO | Home - Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK |
| Aaron Gordon Points(points) | 23 | N/A |
| Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating) | +14 | N/A |
| Game-Winning Play | Jokic 3P (0:08 remaining) - 125-126 | Gilgeous-Alexander stepback 3P (0:03 remaining) - 126-129 |
| Win-Loss Record(games) | 54-16 | — |
| Playoff Seed Position(Seed Ranking) | 2nd (West) | — |
| Conference Rank(position) | 1st (Western) | — |
| Leading Scorer PPG(Points Per Game) | 33.4 (SGA) | — |
| Rebounds Per Game (Team)(rebounds) | 47.1 | — |
| Rebounds Leader RPG(Rebounds Per Game) | 10+ (Holmgren) | — |
| Leading Scorer Average(PPG) | 28.1 (SGA) | — |
| Team Assists Per Game(APG) | 28.3 | — |
| Average Points Per Game(points) | 117.8 | — |
| All-Star Selections(players) | 3 All-Stars | — |
| Playoff Seed(position) | 1st seed | — |
| Points Allowed Per Game(PPG) | 109.3 | — |
| Rebounds Per Game(RPG) | 47.1 | — |
| All-Time Championships(titles) | 0 | — |
| Playoff Appearances (2021-2026)(appearances) | 4 | — |
| Current Star Player Rating(NBA tier) | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Elite) | — |
| Coach Tenure(seasons) | 6 seasons | — |
| Expected Win Total (2025-26)(wins) | 48-52 | — |
| Offensive Rating Potential(points per 100) | 115.2 | — |
| Assists Leader APG(Assists Per Game) | 10.9 (SGA) | — |
| Head-to-Head Result (HOU@OKC)(Final Score) | 110 points | — |
| Third Quarter Dominance(Scoring Margin) | Led 52-46 at halftime | — |
| Bench Depth Indicator(Contributing Players) | Williams, Holmgren, SGA balanced attack | — |
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes