Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder: Complete Player Stats Breakdown

The Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder matchup never disappoints, and their most recent face-off proved why it’s becoming one of the NBA’s most exciting rivalries. The Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokić, faced off against the young and fearless Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and his Thunder squad in a thrilling battle of contrasting styles — the Nuggets’ calculated offense versus the Thunder’s explosive speed.

This breakdown dives deep into player stats, advanced analytics, and tactical insights to reveal exactly how each team performed, where they succeeded, and what lies ahead.

Game Overview

The Nuggets edged past the Thunder with a 118–112 victory at Ball Arena, Denver. It was a night filled with highlight reels — from Jokić’s effortless triple-double to SGA’s relentless drives. But beyond the scoreboard, the numbers told an even deeper story.

Team	FG%	3P%	FT%	REB	AST	TO	PTS
Denver Nuggets	53.1	39.4	85.2	46	29	10	118
OKC Thunder	47.6	36.7	89.1	42	25	12	112

Both teams shot well, but Denver’s superior ball movement and interior efficiency made the difference. OKC played with high energy but struggled to contain Denver’s half-court execution.

Key turning point: Midway through the fourth quarter, Denver went on a 9–2 run fueled by Jokić and Jamal Murray’s two-man game, which OKC’s defense couldn’t solve.

Star Players Comparison

Nuggets’ Key Contributors

Nikola Jokić

• Points: 28
• Rebounds: 14
• Assists: 11
• Field Goal %: 61%
• PER: 32.8
• Usage Rate: 29.7%

Jokić once again reminded everyone why he’s the heart of Denver’s offense. His ability to manipulate defenders through subtle pump fakes and pin-point passes created easy looks for teammates. He recorded his league-leading 5th triple-double of the season, showing complete command of tempo and spacing.

“He’s basically a point center — you can’t rush him, you can only react,” said OKC coach Mark Daigneault postgame.

Jamal Murray

• Points: 24
• Assists: 9
• 3PT%: 41.7% (5/12)
• Turnovers: 2

Murray was electric off the dribble, frequently exploiting mismatches created by Jokić’s screens. His late-game shot-making sealed the deal. The duo combined for 52 points — pure synergy in motion.

Thunder’s Key Contributors

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA)

• Points: 32
• Rebounds: 6
• Assists: 7
• Field Goal %: 54
• Free Throws: 10/10
• PER: 28.5

SGA carried OKC offensively, attacking relentlessly. His paint touches forced Denver to collapse defensively, freeing shooters on the perimeter. Still, the Thunder struggled to convert those looks when it mattered most.

Chet Holmgren

• Points: 18
• Rebounds: 9
• Blocks: 4
• FG%: 48%
• Defensive Rating: 104.2

Chet’s rim protection was vital in containing Denver’s drives. However, foul trouble limited his minutes, forcing OKC to rely more on small-ball lineups that Jokić easily exploited.

Supporting Cast & Role Players

Both teams received mixed contributions from their supporting cast.

Denver Nuggets

Player	PTS	REB	AST	3P%	+/-
Michael Porter Jr.	16	7	2	44%	+8
Aaron Gordon	10	8	3	—	+5
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope	12	3	2	40%	+7

MPJ provided crucial spacing, knocking down corner threes that punished OKC’s help defense. Gordon’s defense on SGA during the third quarter helped Denver maintain control. KCP’s veteran experience showed in clutch moments — particularly with back-to-back steals in the final minutes.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Player	PTS	REB	AST	3P%	+/-
Jalen Williams	15	5	4	38%	+2
Josh Giddey	11	7	6	36%	-4
Isaiah Joe	9	2	1	33%	-7

Giddey’s stat line looks balanced, but Denver forced him into tough decisions. His inability to hit mid-range shots allowed Denver to sag defensively. Jalen Williams, on the other hand, continues to show promise as a secondary scorer.

Offensive Efficiency Breakdown

Denver executed with precision. Their effective field goal percentage (eFG%) stood at 58.4%, compared to OKC’s 52.1%. That gap came primarily from Jokić’s efficiency inside and Murray’s perimeter control.

Team	eFG%	ORtg	Pace	PTS in Paint	2nd Chance PTS
Nuggets	58.4	121.5	97.3	52	13
Thunder	52.1	114.7	100.1	46	11

Takeaways:

• Denver dominated in half-court sets, using Jokić’s vision to create mismatches.
• OKC played faster, but their transition conversion rate was only 53%, showing missed fast-break opportunities.
• Denver’s spacing opened the floor for backdoor cuts — a core of their offensive scheme.

Defensive & Rebounding Battle

Rebounding often determines games between these two teams — and Denver’s physicality won the night.

Team	DREB	OREB	Total REB	Blocks	Steals
Nuggets	36	10	46	6	8
Thunder	31	11	42	7	6

Aaron Gordon and Jokić combined for 22 boards, neutralizing OKC’s second-chance opportunities.

• Chet Holmgren’s four blocks stood out, but Denver countered with strong positional rebounding.
• Defensive Rating: Nuggets 107.6 vs Thunder 112.9 — the slight edge reflected in the final score.

Denver switched between zone and man coverage during critical stretches, frustrating OKC’s rhythm. The Thunder, however, remained aggressive — their deflections (17 total) indicated defensive activity, though not always efficiency.

Advanced Metrics & Hidden Insights

Player	+ / –	Usage %	True Shooting %	Win Shares	Net Rating
Nikola Jokić	+11	29.7	69.2	0.285	+12.1
Jamal Murray	+9	27.3	63.5	0.214	+8.7
SGA	-3	33.1	62.7	0.240	-2.4
Chet Holmgren	-5	22.4	58.3	0.180	-1.9

Key observations:

• Jokić’s Net Rating (+12.1) was the game’s best, showing his control on both ends.
• SGA’s high usage rate meant efficiency dipped late in the game.
• Denver’s bench had a combined +14 net rating, highlighting depth advantage.

A closer look at momentum swings shows Denver’s fourth-quarter dominance:

• Nuggets outscored OKC 32–24 in the final frame.
• During that span, Jokić had 9 points, 4 assists, and 0 turnovers.
• OKC shot just 2-of-10 from three during the quarter — a crucial collapse.

Key Matchups & Tactical Notes

Jokić vs Holmgren

A fascinating battle of experience versus youth. Jokić repeatedly drew Holmgren into deep post position, using subtle pivots to create space. Holmgren held his own early but couldn’t prevent foul trouble.

“Chet will learn — Jokić’s pace is like nothing else in the league,” ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson noted.

SGA vs Gordon

Gordon’s strength slowed SGA in the third quarter. When switched onto smaller defenders, SGA attacked successfully — scoring 14 points in the paint. However, Gordon’s physicality limited clean looks late.

Bench Dynamics

Denver’s Reggie Jackson and Christian Braun outperformed OKC’s second unit. Jackson’s ability to steady the tempo in Murray’s absence was critical.

Tactical Takeaways:

• Denver’s ball movement: 29 assists on 44 made field goals.
• OKC’s defense collapsed too early, leaving shooters open.
• Nuggets utilized high elbow sets to free cutters effectively.

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What This Means Moving Forward

For Denver:

• The Jokić–Murray connection remains the league’s most efficient two-man game.
• MPJ’s consistent shooting adds offensive stability.
• The Nuggets rank #2 in Western Conference Net Rating (as of Nov 2025), signaling championship form.

For OKC:

• SGA continues his All-NBA campaign but needs more perimeter consistency from teammates.
• Holmgren’s defensive instincts are elite — he’s already among top 10 in block percentage.
• Their young roster shows promise, but composure in tight games remains a learning curve.

Category	Winner	Key Stat
Scoring Efficiency	Nuggets	53.1 FG%
Rebounding	Nuggets	+4 margin
Defense	Thunder	7 blocks
Bench Impact	Nuggets	+14 Net Rating
Clutch Execution	Nuggets	9–2 closing run

The numbers reflect maturity — Denver knew when to slow it down, OKC played with fire but lacked late-game structure

Conclusion

The Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder clash was more than just another regular-season game — it was a glimpse into the NBA’s present and future. Denver’s balance of experience and chemistry continues to dominate, while OKC’s youthful core keeps improving every outing.

If these teams meet again come playoff time, expect fireworks. Jokić’s genius versus SGA’s flair promises another must-watch battle.

Final thought: This game showcased why the NBA is in good hands — one team mastering its prime, another boldly chasing it.

Appendix: Full Stat Summary

Player	Team	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FG%	3P%	FT%	+/-
Nikola Jokić	DEN	37	28	14	11	61	0	90	+11
Jamal Murray	DEN	35	24	3	9	48	41.7	100	+9
Michael Porter Jr.	DEN	31	16	7	2	44	44	100	+8
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	OKC	38	32	6	7	54	33	100	-3
Chet Holmgren	OKC	33	18	9	2	48	37	85	-5
Jalen Williams	OKC	30	15	5	4	46	38	80	+2

Glossary of Key Stats

• PER (Player Efficiency Rating): Measures per-minute productivity.
• Usage Rate: % of team plays a player uses while on the floor.
• Net Rating: Point differential per 100 possessions while on court.
• True Shooting %: Accounts for FG, 3P, and FT efficiency combined.