The Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets are set to battle in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Monday, May 5, at 7:30 PM CT at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. This matchup features two of the league’s top MVP candidates—Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—in what promises to be a thrilling series.
Team Overview & Season Performance
Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14)
- Regular Season Record: 68 wins, 14 losses (No. 1 seed in the West)
- Playoff Performance: Swept Memphis Grizzlies in four games
- Key Players:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.4 APG)
- Jalen Williams (18.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG)
- Chet Holmgren (14.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG)
- Lu Dort (defensive anchor)
- Alex Caruso (key bench contributor)
Denver Nuggets (50-32)
- Regular Season Record: 50 wins, 32 losses (No. 4 seed in the West)
- Playoff Performance: Defeated Los Angeles Clippers in seven games
- Key Players:
- Nikola Jokic (24.5 PPG, 15.8 RPG, 11.5 APG)
- Jamal Murray (21.3 PPG, 6.7 APG)
- Michael Porter Jr. (17.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG)
- Aaron Gordon (defensive stopper)
- Russell Westbrook (X-factor against his former team)
Head-to-Head Matchup
- Season Series: Tied 2-2, with each team winning once at home and once on the road.
- Defensive Battle: OKC’s elite perimeter defense vs. Denver’s dominant interior presence.
- Three-Point Shooting: OKC ranks top five in three-point percentage, while Denver relies more on inside scoring.
Key Storylines
- MVP Showdown – Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander finished top two in MVP voting, making this a battle of superstars.
- OKC’s Rest Advantage – The Thunder have been off since April 26, while Denver just finished a grueling seven-game series.
- Westbrook’s Return to OKC – The former Thunder star faces his old team in the playoffs for the first time in Oklahoma City.
- Battle of Young Talent – OKC’s Holmgren and Williams vs. Denver’s Porter Jr. and Gordon could be a deciding factor.
Game Odds
Denver Nuggets 224.5
Oklahoma City Thunder – 9.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, May 4, 2025
