Ball Arena, Denver | Friday, May 9, 2025 | Tipoff: 9:00 PM ET
As the Western Conference Semifinals heat up, the Oklahoma City Thunder travel to the Mile High City to face the Denver Nuggets in a pivotal Game 3. The series is tied 1-1 following a shocking 149-106 Thunder blowout in Game 2. With the series shifting to Ball Arena in Denver, both teams have a golden opportunity to seize momentum.
Let’s break down the key storylines, game strategies, historical context, and how to tune in for Friday’s clash.
Three Keys for Oklahoma City to Take the Lead
1. Set the Tone Early with Physicality
In Game 2, the Thunder blitzed the Nuggets with a jaw-dropping 45-point first quarter—setting an aggressive tone that left Denver stunned. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City’s head coach, emphasized intensity from the tip, and his team delivered with suffocating defense and pace-pushing offense.
By clogging the paint early and daring Denver to beat them from deep, OKC effectively neutralized Nikola Jokić, forcing Denver’s role players like Christian Braun into uncomfortable decision-making.
Establishing that same physicality in Game 3 will be crucial—especially in a hostile environment like Denver’s altitude-powered Ball Arena.
“We came out desperate,” said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led OKC in Game 2 with 34 points. “That was the difference.”
2. Control Turnovers and Dominate the Glass
The Game 2 turnaround was also fueled by Oklahoma City’s improvement on the boards. After getting out-rebounded in Game 1, the Thunder flipped the script and won the rebounding battle handily, fueling their devastating transition game.
So far in the series, Oklahoma City has forced 38 turnovers in just two games—largely thanks to defensive anticipation and excellent help rotations. Their active hands and understanding of passing angles have overwhelmed Denver’s ball handlers.
Read More: Timberwolves Even Series in Commanding Fashion, Roll Past Curry-Less Warriors 117–93
Maintaining pressure while keeping control of the glass will go a long way in tiring out Denver’s core, especially considering their limited bench depth due to injuries.
3. Maintain Offensive Efficiency and Ball Movement
Oklahoma City’s offensive display in Game 2 was historic:
- 56.2% from the field
- 44.4% from beyond the arc
- 11-of-13 shooting from Gilgeous-Alexander
- All five starters scored in double figures
It wasn’t just the All-NBA brilliance of SGA—Lu Dort hit key threes, Josh Giddey orchestrated in transition, and Chet Holmgren was a presence on both ends.
Unselfish ball movement and composure against Denver’s physicality will be vital. If the Thunder continue to get quality shots early in the shot clock, it could keep Denver scrambling.
Injury Report
The Denver Nuggets will be without rookie forward DaRon Holmes II, who remains sidelined following surgery on his right Achilles tendon. Holmes is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. With their bench depth already tested, Denver continues to lean heavily on starters like Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon to support Nikola Jokić in both scoring and rebounding responsibilities.
Read More: NBA Playoffs Game 3 Preview: Pacers vs. Cavaliers
On the other side, the Oklahoma City Thunder are also missing a key young piece, as Nikola Topić remains out following left knee surgery earlier this season. His injury has been deemed season-ending. Despite the loss, Oklahoma City’s guard rotation has remained strong, with Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace providing valuable minutes and spacing off the bench throughout the postseason.
Last Matchup: Thunder Make NBA History
In Game 2, the Thunder delivered one of the most lopsided playoff wins in league history:
Final Score: Thunder 149, Nuggets 106
Halftime Score: Thunder 87, Nuggets 56 (NBA record for first-half points)
SGA was nearly perfect:
- 34 points (11-of-13 FG, 11-of-11 FT)
- 8 assists
- 3 rebounds
- 0 turnovers in 29 minutes
OKC set multiple franchise playoff records:
- Most points in a game (149)
- Most points in a quarter (45 in the first)
- Largest halftime lead in franchise playoff history
Chet Holmgren had 16 points and 9 rebounds, while Dort added 18 on 4-of-6 shooting from deep.
Jokić struggled mightily compared to Game 1’s 42-point outburst, finishing with just 17 points before fouling out in the third quarter. Russell Westbrook led Denver with 19 points but was visibly frustrated—picking up a technical foul early and receiving boos from the Thunder crowd.
“We got punked,” said David Adelman, Denver’s interim head coach. “They came out with the right intensity. We didn’t.”
Series History: Nuggets vs. Thunder
2011 Western Conference First Round
- Result: Thunder won 4–1
- Key Players: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden
- Notable Stat: Durant averaged 32.4 PPG, including 41 in Game 5
- Context: Denver had just traded Carmelo Anthony and was relying on a balanced lineup featuring Danilo Gallinari, Ty Lawson, and Nene
This was the last postseason meeting between these two franchises until 2025.
Going Deeper: SuperSonics vs. Nuggets Playoff History
Before the Seattle SuperSonics relocated and became the Oklahoma City Thunder, the SuperSonics had a storied playoff rivalry with the Denver Nuggets. Here’s a look at their past playoff matchups:
1982 First Round: Seattle won 2–1 (best-of-three format)
In this series, the SuperSonics triumphed over the Nuggets 2–1 in a best-of-three format. Led by stars like Jack Sikma and Gus Williams, Seattle bested Denver, which had the talents of Alex English and Kiki Vandeweghe.
1988 First Round: Seattle won 3–2
The two teams met again in 1988 for a tightly contested five-game series. This time, Dale Ellis and Xavier McDaniel led Seattle to another series victory, while Denver’s roster boasted Alex English, Fat Lever, and Michael Adams.
1994 First Round: Denver won 3–2
In perhaps the most memorable playoff series between these two teams, the Denver Nuggets pulled off a historic upset by defeating the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics 3–2. Denver became the first-ever No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in NBA history. The famous image of Dikembe Mutombo lying on the court, clutching the ball in celebration, remains one of the most iconic moments in playoff history.
Odds & Betting Lines (as of May 9, 2025)
- Point Spread: Nuggets -3.5
- Over/Under: 219.5
- Moneyline:
- Thunder: +145
- Nuggets: -175
Betting trends:
- OKC is 6–2 against the spread in their last 8 playoff games
- Denver is 5–1 in their last 6 home playoff games
- The OVER has hit in 7 of the last 10 meetings between these teams
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook.
How to Watch (Nuggets vs. Thunder)
- Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
- Time: 9:00 PM ET
- Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
- TV Broadcast: ESPN
- Streaming: WatchESPN, FanDuel TV
Series Schedule
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Thunder at Nuggets | May 9 | 9:00 PM | ESPN |
| 4 | Thunder at Nuggets | May 11 | 2:30 PM | ABC |
| 5 | Nuggets at Thunder | May 13 | TBD | TBD |
| 6* | Thunder at Nuggets | May 15 | TBD | TBD |
| 7* | Nuggets at Thunder | May 18 | TBD | TBD |
Final Thoughts
This series has taken a dramatic turn. After narrowly dropping Game 1, Oklahoma City answered with historic dominance in Game 2. But in the high-altitude battleground of Denver, the defending champions will be desperate to respond.
With Nikola Jokić expected to rebound from his Game 2 struggles, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander operating at an MVP level, Game 3 could be the series’ defining moment.
Whether it’s youth and energy versus experience and resolve, one thing is certain: this Nuggets vs. Thunder battle is far from over.
