NBA Playoffs 2025: Thunder vs. Nuggets Telecast Schedule and Streaming Guide

Alright, let's dive into the Western Conference Semifinal bout between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets!

The Thunder steamrolled their way through the Memphis Grizzlies, sweeping 'em like a boss, while the Nuggets played a tooth-and-nail seven-game series against the LA Clippers. The rust vs. rest debate will surely be ignited for Game 1, as the Thunder hasn't seen action since April 26, and the Nuggets are jumping straight into the second round from a Game 7 against the Clippers on Saturday to Game 1 with the Thunder on Monday.

From a narrative standpoint, this series can't get any juicier! We've got two MVP frontrunners – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the league in scoring, and Nikola Jokic, who had one of the greatest regular seasons in NBA history.

The games won't be won by the big guns alone – it's going to be the supporting cast's show too. Jamal Murray needs to bring his A-game and outplay Jalen Williams if the Nuggets wanna stand a chance. Depth has been a concern for the Nuggets all season, but they managed to dig deep and get some stellar performances from their bench players in the wee hours of Game 7. The Thunder, on paper, have a significant edge in this department.

Now, let's get you hooked up with the play-by-play details!

How To Watch Thunder Vs. Nuggets

Game 1: Monday, May 5 @ 9:30 p.m. EST, TNT
Game 2: Wednesday, May 7 @ 9:30 p.m. EST, TNT
Game 3: Friday, May 9 @ 10:00 p.m. EST, ESPN
Game 4: Sunday, May 11 @ 3:30 p.m. EST, ABC
Game 5 (if necessary): TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): TBD

Series Format/Bracket

Each series follows a 2-2-1-1-1 format. The team with home-court advantage hosts the first two games, along with Game 5 and Game 7 (if necessary). The weaker seed will host Games 3, 4 and 6 (if necessary).

The winner of Thunder-Nuggets will face the winner of the Minnesota Timberwolves' matchup against either the Houston Rockets or Golden State Warriors. The Rockets and Warriors play Game 7 in Houston Sunday night.

Thunder Vs. Nuggets Season Series

The Thunder and the Nuggets split the season series, 2-2. Two of the games came in the first month of the season, while the latter two came in March with the MVP race at its peak.

Oct. 24: Thunder win, 102-87, in Denver.
Nov. 6: Nuggets win, 124-122, in Denver.
March 9: Thunder win, 127-103, in Oklahoma City.
March 10: Nuggets win, 140-127, in Oklahoma City.

predicting the winner

Predicting the winner of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets is no easy feat. Several factors and key matchups will come into play:

series overview

Regular Season Performance: The Thunder captured the best record, 68-14, securing the No. 1 seed. The Nuggets finished as the No. 4 seed with a 50-32 record.
Home Court Advantage: Oklahoma City has home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, which could give them a significant edge.

key matchups to watch

1. Jokic vs. Thunder's Interior Defense

Importance: Jokic, a two-time NBA MVP, is crucial for the Nuggets. His versatility on both ends of the court will test the Thunder's interior defense.
Impact: If the Thunder can limit Jokic's scoring and passing, it could hamstring the Nuggets' offense.

2. Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Nuggets' Perimeter Defense

Significance: Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP candidate, is the Thunder's primary scoring threat. His ability to penetrate and create for himself or his teammates will test the Nuggets' defensive strategy.
Impact: If the Nuggets can effectively guard Gilgeous-Alexander and limit his scoring opportunities, it could reduce the Thunder's offensive output.

3. Russell Westbrook's Return to Oklahoma City

Emotional Impact: Westbrook, a Thunder legend, returns to Oklahoma City for a playoff series against his former team. This could both psychologically and physically impact both sides.
Impact: Westbrook's experience and competitive fire might boost the Nuggets' morale and performance, especially if he can outplay his Thunder counterparts.

prediction

The Thunder's superior regular season performance and home-court advantage give them a solid chance to win the series. However, the Nuggets' playoff resilience and Jokic's dominance make them a formidable force. This series could be a nail-biter, as both teams might struggle to gain control of the key matchups and execute their game plan consistently. Ultimately, the team that manages to do so might just emerge victorious. Given the Thunder's overall strength and home-court advantage, they might have a slight edge in this series.

As always, remember – the games aren't played on paper! It's gonna be a wild ride, and we can't wait to watch it unfold. Let's Go Thunder/Nuggets!

The Western Conference Semifinal between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets promises to be a thrilling battle of MVP caliber players, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic taking center stage. The series will be played from May 5 to May 11, with potential Game 7 on May 15. With the Thunder securing the No. 1 seed with a 68-14 record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, they appear to have the edge. However, the Nuggets' playoff resilience and Jokic's domination make them a formidable force.

The key matchups to watch include Jokic against the Thunder's interior defense, Gilgeous-Alexander against the Nuggets' perimeter defense, and Russell Westbrook's emotional return to Oklahoma City. The team that effectively manages these matchups and consistently executes their game plan could emerge victorious. So, gather around! This series is bound to be a nail-biter, as both teams struggle to gain control. With the Thunder's superior regular season performance and home-court advantage, they might have a slight edge in this highly anticipated series. But as always, the games aren't played on paper – it's going to be a wild ride! Let's Go Thunder/Nuggets!