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Thunder vs Nuggets 2025: Record, Stats, MVP

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

Oklahoma City Thunder

Western Conference leader with elite offensive efficiency and balanced scoring depth

Fans who enjoy watching young, defensive-minded teams with explosive potential and don't require championship rings as proof of quality.

Score67%
VS
Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets

2023 NBA Champions with a historically great MVP-caliber point guard and established winning culture.

Fans prioritizing championship credibility, proven star power, and postseason reliability over regular season optimization.

Score56%

Quick Answer

AI Summary

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.

Our Verdict

AI-assisted

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.

Community feedback

Was this verdict helpful?

Oklahoma City Thunder
7.5/10
Denver Nuggets
7.5/10

TIE — neck and neck

Oklahoma City Thunder

Choose Oklahoma City Thunder if

Fans who enjoy watching young, defensive-minded teams with explosive potential and don't require championship rings as proof of quality.

Denver Nuggets

Choose Denver Nuggets if

Fans prioritizing championship credibility, proven star power, and postseason reliability over regular season optimization.

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Key Differences at a Glance

  • 2024-25 Regular Season Record:Oklahoma City Thunder wins(36-8 (as of Jan 2025) vs 29-15 (as of Jan 2025))
  • NBA Championships Won:Denver Nuggets wins(1 (2023) vs 0)
  • Current Best Player:Denver Nuggets wins(Nikola Jokic (3x MVP, 2023 Finals MVP) vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (MVP candidate))
See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

101 numeric metrics compared

MetricOklahoma City ThunderDenver NuggetsRatio
Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)116.2118.3
Leading Scorer PPG(points per game)Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.1 PPG
Three-Point Percentage(%)37.2%37.8%
Rebounds Per Game (Team)(rebounds)47.1
Assists Per Game (Team)(assists)28.4
Steals Per Game (Team)(steals)8.9
Points Per Game (Team Scoring)(PPG)116.8
Leading Scorer Average(PPG)28.1 (SGA)
Team Assists Per Game(APG)28.3
Bench Scoring(points per game)28.428.4
Playoff Seed Position(Seed Ranking)2nd (West)
3-Point Percentage(percent)37.9%
Average Points Per Game(points)117.8
Conference Rank(position)1st (Western)
All-Star Selections(players)3 All-Stars
Playoff Seed(seed ranking)1st seed
Nikola Jokic Points Per Game(PPG)N/A33.6 PPG
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Points Per Game(PPG)30.1 PPGN/A
Team Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)110.2112.8
2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins)56-2657-25
NBA Championship Titles(championships)01 (2024)
Points Per Game(points)118.5
Points Allowed Per Game(PPG)109.3
Star Player PPG Average(PPG)30.2 (SGA)
All-Time Championships(titles)0
Playoff Appearances (2021-2026)(appearances)4
Average Team Age(years)24.827.8 years
Coach Tenure(seasons)6 seasons
Expected Win Total (2025-26)(wins)48-52
Offensive Rating Potential(points per 100)115.2
Final Score(points)126129
Aaron Gordon Points(points)N/A23
Aaron Gordon Field Goal %(%)N/A42.9% (6-14 FG)
Aaron Gordon Three-Point %(%)N/A50% (2-4 3P)
Aaron Gordon Free Throw %(%)N/A90% (9-10 FT)
Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating)N/A+14
Assists Leader APG(Assists Per Game)10.9 (SGA)
Rebounds Leader RPG(Rebounds Per Game)10+ (Holmgren)
Rebounds Per Game(RPG)46.2
Games Back From Playoff Position(GB)-5.5 (leading)
Net Rating(point differential per 100 possessions)+7.9+7.7
Roster Average Age(years)25.3
2026 NBA All-Star Selections(players)3
Playoff Seeding(seed ranking)1st
Net Rating (scoring margin per 100 possessions)(points)+10.6
All-NBA Caliber Superstars(count)3 (Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, Dort)
Western Conference Playoff Seeding(seed)1st (projected)
Playoff Probability(percent)99%
NBA Championship Odds (2026 season)(decimal odds)+400
Payroll(USD millions)$163M
Three-Point Percentage (team)(percent)36.2%
Team Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)115.9117.3
Payroll (2024-25)(million USD)$176.4M$195.7M
NBA Finals Appearances (2022-2025)(appearances)02
Chet Holmgren Block Rate(blocks per game)2.8 BPGN/A
Net Rating (Differential)(points per 100 possessions)+9.5
All-Time NBA Championships(titles)1
Playoff Appearances (Last 10 Seasons)(appearances)9
2025-26 Payroll(USD millions)$145.8M
Average Roster Age(years)24.829.2
NBA Championships Won(Titles)01 (2023)
Leading Scorer PPG Average(Points per game)Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 29.3 PPGNikola Jokic 27.8 PPG
MVP Awards (All-Time)(Awards)03 (Nikola Jokic 2021, 2022, 2024)
Core Roster Average Age(Years)24.3 years30.1 years
Team Payroll(USD Millions)$165 million$218 million
Points Per Game (2024-25)(PPG)116.8119.3
Defensive Rating (2024-25)(points per 100 possessions)105.2109.8
Leading Scorer Average (2024-25)(PPG)30.1 (SGA)28.1 (Jokic)
Assists Per Game (2024-25)(APG)8.111.2
Three-Point Shooting Percentage(%)38.1%37.2%
Salary Cap Situation(USD millions)$134 million ($50M under)$184 million (in luxury tax)
Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)108.3109.2
Three-Point Shooting(percentage)38.1%
Point Differential(points per game)+8.9
Western Conference Seed(ranking)1st Seed
Star Player PPG(points per game)Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 28.4
Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(seasons)5 of 55 (all 5 years)
Western Conference Ranking(seed position)1st seed
Points Per Game (Offense)(PPG)112.4
Points Allowed Per Game (Defense)(PPG)105.2
Leading Scorer - Points Per Game(PPG)Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.1
Team 3-Point Percentage(%)37.2%
Assists Per Game(APG)28.3
Field Goal Percentage(%)48.1%50.1%
Nikola Jokic Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG)27.227.2
Team Offensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions)113.8113.8
Team Defensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions)107.2107.2
Championships Won(titles)1 (2023)1 (2023)
Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)(APG)7.8 (Murray)7.8 (Murray)
Average Team Payroll (2025-26)(Million USD)$182M$182M
Championship Titles(titles)11
Offensive Efficiency Rating(points per 100 possessions)113.8113.8
Defensive Efficiency Rating(points allowed per 100 possessions)108.9108.9
Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard True Shooting %(%)Nikola Jokic 63.4%Nikola Jokic 63.4%
Playoff Finals Appearances (Franchise History)(Finals trips)3 (2023, 2024, 2009 runner-up)3 (2023, 2024, 2009 runner-up)
2023-2024 Regular Season Points Per Game(PPG)113.2113.2
2023-2024 Regular Season Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)111.6111.6
MVP Awards (Current/Recent)(MVPs)1 (Nikola Jokic, 2024)1 (Nikola Jokic, 2024)
Western Conference Finals Appearances (2021-2024)(appearances)33
All-Star Players on Roster (2024-2025)(players)33
Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard 2023-2024 PPG(PPG)30.1 (Jokic)30.1 (Jokic)

Sourced from publicly available data ·

Key Differences

7 attributes compared head-to-head

Oklahoma City Thunder
4Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder leads
Denver Nuggets
3Denver Nuggets
  • 2024-25 Regular Season Record

    Oklahoma City Thunder

    36-8 (as of Jan 2025)(winner)

    Denver Nuggets

    29-15 (as of Jan 2025)

  • NBA Championships Won

    Oklahoma City Thunder

    0

    Denver Nuggets

    1 (2023)(winner)

  • Current Best Player

    Oklahoma City Thunder

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (MVP candidate)

    Denver Nuggets

    Nikola Jokic (3x MVP, 2023 Finals MVP)(winner)

  • Defensive Rating (2024-25)

    Oklahoma City Thunder

    106.8 PPG allowed per 100 possessions(winner)

    Denver Nuggets

    109.2 PPG allowed per 100 possessions

  • Franchise Age

    Oklahoma City Thunder

    25 years (relocated 1996)

    Denver Nuggets

    50+ years (joined NBA 1976)(winner)

  • Core Player Age Average

    Oklahoma City Thunder

    24.3 years (Gilgeous-Alexander 26, Dort 26, Hartenstein 25)(winner)

    Denver Nuggets

    30.1 years (Jokic 29, Murray 27, Murray 27)

  • Payroll (2024-25 Season)

    Oklahoma City Thunder

    $165 million(winner)

    Denver Nuggets

    $218 million

Full Comparison

Oklahoma City Thunder
Denver Nuggets
Win-Loss Record(W-L)
36-12
Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)
116.2
118.3
Three-Point Percentage(%)
37.2%
37.8%
Assists Per Game (Team)(assists)
28.4
Points Per Game (Team Scoring)(PPG)
116.8
Team Offensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)
115.9
117.3
Show 2 more attributes
Three-Point Shooting(percentage)
38.1%
2023-2024 Regular Season Points Per Game(PPG)
113.2
Leading Scorer PPG(points per game)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.1 PPG
Rebounds Per Game (Team)(rebounds)
47.1
Rebounds Leader RPG(Rebounds Per Game)
10+ (Holmgren)
Rebounds Per Game(RPG)
46.2
Steals Per Game (Team)(steals)
8.9
Team Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)
110.2
112.8
Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)
108.3
109.2
Points Allowed Per Game (Defense)(PPG)
105.2
Defensive Efficiency Rating(points allowed per 100 possessions)
108.9
Show 1 more attribute
2023-2024 Regular Season Defensive Rating(points per 100 possessions)
111.6
Leading Scorer Average(PPG)
28.1 (SGA)
Leading Scorer - Points Per Game(PPG)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.1
Team Assists Per Game(APG)
28.3
Assists Per Game(APG)
28.3
Bench Scoring(points per game)
28.4
28.4
Playoff Seed Position(Seed Ranking)
2nd (West)
Conference Rank(position)
1st (Western)
Playoff Seed(seed ranking)
1st seed
Conference Standing(Seed/Rank)
1st (West)
Games Back From Playoff Position(GB)
-5.5 (leading)
Show 2 more attributes
Point Differential(points per game)
+8.9
Western Conference Seed(ranking)
1st Seed
3-Point Percentage(percent)
37.9%
Average Points Per Game(points)
117.8
Points Per Game (Offense)(PPG)
112.4
Offensive Efficiency Rating(points per 100 possessions)
113.8
All-Star Selections(players)
3 All-Stars
Nikola Jokic Points Per Game(PPG)
N/A
33.6 PPG
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Points Per Game(PPG)
30.1 PPG
N/A
2023-24 Win-Loss Record(Wins)
56-26
57-25
Regular Season Record(Wins-Losses)
57-16
Win-Loss Record (2024-25 season)(Wins-Losses)
47-15
NBA Championship Titles(championships)
0
1 (2024)
Championship Titles(titles)
1
Season Record (2025-26)(wins-losses)
47-22
Wins-Losses Record (2025-26)(W-L)
65-17
Current Win-Loss Record (2024-25 season)
40-12
Western Conference Playoff Seeding(seed)
1st (projected)
Current Season Win-Loss Record(wins-losses)
32-12
28-16
Show 3 more attributes
2025-26 Regular Season Record(wins-losses)
52-30
Net Rating (Differential)(points per 100 possessions)
+9.5
2024-25 Regular Season Record(wins-losses)
35-18
Points Per Game(points)
118.5
Points Allowed Per Game(PPG)
109.3
Star Player PPG Average(PPG)
30.2 (SGA)
All-NBA Caliber Superstars(count)
3 (Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, Dort)
Star Player (Primary)
Nikola Jokic (MVP)
All-Time Championships(titles)
0
Playoff Appearances (2021-2026)(appearances)
4
Current Star Player Rating(NBA tier)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Elite)
Average Team Age(years)
24.8
27.8 years
Roster Average Age(years)
25.3
Average Roster Age(years)
24.8
29.2
Coach Tenure(seasons)
6 seasons
Last Conference Finals Appearance(year)
Never
Most Recent Playoff Round
Finals (2024)
Expected Win Total (2025-26)(wins)
48-52
Offensive Rating Potential(points per 100)
115.2
Final Score(points)
126
129
Location
Home - Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Away - Denver, CO
Aaron Gordon Points(points)
N/A
23
Aaron Gordon Field Goal %(%)
N/A
42.9% (6-14 FG)
Aaron Gordon Three-Point %(%)
N/A
50% (2-4 3P)
Aaron Gordon Free Throw %(%)
N/A
90% (9-10 FT)
Three-Point Percentage (team)(percent)
36.2%
Three-Point Shooting Percentage(%)
38.1%
37.2%
Show 2 more attributes
Team 3-Point Percentage(%)
37.2%
Field Goal Percentage(%)
48.1%
50.1%
Aaron Gordon Plus-Minus(rating)
N/A
+14
Game-Winning Play
Gilgeous-Alexander stepback 3P (0:03 remaining) - 126-129
Jokic 3P (0:08 remaining) - 125-126
Assists Leader APG(Assists Per Game)
10.9 (SGA)
Assists Per Game (2024-25)(APG)
8.1
11.2
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
Net Rating(point differential per 100 possessions)
+7.9
+7.7
Team Offensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions)
113.8
Team Defensive Rating (2025-26)(Points per 100 possessions)
107.2
2026 NBA All-Star Selections(players)
3
Nikola Jokic vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Best Player Comparison)(PPG / APG / eFG%)
30.1 PPG / 6.5 APG / 60.1% eFG% (SGA)
29.1 PPG / 9.0 APG / 66.3% eFG% (Jokic)
Playoff Seeding(seed ranking)
1st
Leading Scorer(points per game)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.1 PPG
Leading Scorer PPG Average(Points per game)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 29.3 PPG
Nikola Jokic 27.8 PPG
Net Rating (scoring margin per 100 possessions)(points)
+10.6
Playoff Probability(percent)
99%
NBA Championship Odds (2026 season)(decimal odds)
+400
Payroll(USD millions)
$163M
Payroll (2024-25)(million USD)
$176.4M
$195.7M
NBA Finals Appearances (2022-2025)(appearances)
0
2
Western Conference Finals Appearances (2021-2024)(appearances)
3
Chet Holmgren Block Rate(blocks per game)
2.8 BPG
N/A
All-Time NBA Championships(titles)
1
NBA Championships Won(Titles)
0
1 (2023)
MVP Awards (All-Time)(Awards)
0
3 (Nikola Jokic 2021, 2022, 2024)
Playoff Appearances (Last 10 Seasons)(appearances)
9
2025-26 Payroll(USD millions)
$145.8M
Average Team Payroll (2025-26)(Million USD)
$182M
2024-25 Regular Season Win-Loss Record(Wins-Losses)
36-8
29-15
Core Roster Average Age(Years)
24.3 years
30.1 years
Team Payroll(USD Millions)
$165 million
$218 million
Points Per Game (2024-25)(PPG)
116.8
119.3
Defensive Rating (2024-25)(points per 100 possessions)
105.2
109.8
Leading Scorer Average (2024-25)(PPG)
30.1 (SGA)
28.1 (Jokic)
Salary Cap Situation(USD millions)
$134 million ($50M under)
$184 million (in luxury tax)
Wins-Losses Record(W-L)
32-10
Regular Season Wins-Losses
38-8
Star Player PPG(points per game)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 28.4
Playoff Appearances (Last 5 Years)(seasons)
5 of 5
5 (all 5 years)
Western Conference Ranking(seed position)
1st seed
Nikola Jokic Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG)
27.2
Kawhi Leonard Points Per Game (2025-26)(PPG)
N/A
Championships Won(titles)
1 (2023)
Jamal Murray / Paul George Assists (2025-26)(APG)
7.8 (Murray)
Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard True Shooting %(%)
Nikola Jokic 63.4%
Playoff Finals Appearances (Franchise History)(Finals trips)
3 (2023, 2024, 2009 runner-up)
MVP Awards (Current/Recent)(MVPs)
1 (Nikola Jokic, 2024)
2024 Playoff Series Record(wins-losses)
16-4
All-Star Players on Roster (2024-2025)(players)
3
Nikola Jokic vs Kawhi Leonard 2023-2024 PPG(PPG)
30.1 (Jokic)

Pros & Cons

11 pros·7 cons across both

Oklahoma City Thunder
Denver Nuggets
Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder

+6-3

Pros

  • Best regular season record (36-8) in NBA as of January 2025
  • Elite defensive rating of 106.8 PPG allowed, ranked top 3 in league
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 29.3 PPG with 61.1% true shooting
  • Deep bench with 7 rotation players contributing 8+ PPG
  • Significant financial flexibility with $165M payroll for future moves
  • Average core player age of 24.3 years ensures long competitive window

Cons

  • No NBA championship history; 0 Finals appearances
  • Lack of postseason experience in high-pressure situations versus proven veterans
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has never made an NBA Finals
Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets

+5-4

Pros

  • Won 2023 NBA Championship with dominant 16-4 playoff record
  • Nikola Jokic is 3x MVP (2021, 2022, 2024) and 2023 Finals MVP
  • Jamal Murray proven Finals performer and clutch playoff scorer
  • Established team chemistry and playoff experience across roster
  • 50+ year franchise history with deep playoff success

Cons

  • Current record (29-15) trails Thunder by 7 games; declining season performance
  • Defensive rating of 109.2 PPG is 2.4 points worse than Thunder
  • Core roster aging with Jokic (29), Murray (27), and supporting cast averaging 30+ years
  • Highest payroll in comparison ($218M) with less flexibility for roster changes

Frequently Asked Questions

5 questions

  1. 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.

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