The Nuggets and Thunder have met five times recently. The results? A split of wins and losses, big moments, and great individual play on both sides. If you want the full picture — not just scores — you’re in the right place.
We break down every game, key player stats, team trends, and what it all means for both teams going forward.
Quick Look: Last 5 Game Results
Here’s the at-a-glance view of the last five meetings between Denver and OKC.
| Date | Home | Away | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 11, 2026 | DEN | OKC | 127–107 | Nuggets |
| Feb 27, 2026 | OKC | DEN | 127–121 | Thunder |
| Feb 1, 2026 | DEN | OKC | 111–121 | Thunder |
| May 15, 2025 | DEN | OKC | 119–107 | Nuggets |
| May 13, 2025 | OKC | DEN | 112–105 | Thunder |
Series record over last 5 games: Thunder lead 3–2.
OKC has the edge in this recent run. But Denver’s last win (127–107) was the most one-sided game of the bunch. This is a tight, competitive matchup — every game has been decided by 20 points or less.
Game 1 (Most Recent): Nuggets 127, Thunder 107 — April 11, 2026
Denver took this one in style. They led by as many as 21 points and never looked back after building a big cushion in the 4th quarter.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
| Quarter | DEN | OKC |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 34 | 27 |
| Q2 | 25 | 24 |
| Q3 | 31 | 34 |
| Q4 | 37 | 22 |
Denver got out fast, kept it close in the 3rd, then blew the door open in the 4th. A 37-point 4th quarter sealed it.
Denver Nuggets Player Stats — April 11, 2026
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonas Valanciunas | 23 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 64.3% |
| Julian Strawther | 22 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 47.1% |
| David Roddy | 21 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | 13 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Jalen Pickett | 13 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 45.5% |
| Bruce Brown | 10 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 44.4% |
| Curtis Jones | 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 42.9% |
Valanciunas was the engine. He posted 23 points and 17 rebounds. That’s a massive double-double. He shot 64.3% from the field and grabbed 17 boards — 6 of them offensive.
Strawther and Roddy were hot off the bench. Both shot over 47%, and Roddy hit 66.7% from the floor. Denver’s bench put up 50 points total — a huge reason they won by 20.
OKC Thunder Player Stats — April 11, 2026
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branden Carlson | 23 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 44.4% |
| Nikola Topic | 14 | 2 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Kenrich Williams | 15 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 31.8% |
| Aaron Wiggins | 13 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 45.5% |
| Payton Sandfort | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37.5% |
| Luguentz Dort | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28.6% |
OKC was without their usual top contributors in their normal form this night. Topic had 11 assists but coughed up 8 turnovers. Williams got a double-double but shot just 31.8%.
Game 2: Thunder 127, Nuggets 121 — February 27, 2026
This was OKC’s home court. A tight game all the way through, with the Thunder pulling away late. Six-point margin — but the game felt closer than that down the stretch.
What Drove OKC’s Win?
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) was the difference-maker in crunch time. The MVP-level guard consistently finds ways to score when it matters.
- Denver stayed close but couldn’t stop OKC’s late offense.
- The Thunder held Denver to just 121 points — a strong defensive effort for a team with the league’s best defensive rating (107.3).
Game 3: Thunder 121, Nuggets 111 — February 1, 2026
Another OKC win, this time in Denver. Getting a win on the road is hard. Getting one against a Nuggets team with the NBA’s best offense (121.4 offensive rating) is even harder.
What Made the Difference?
- OKC’s defense again. The Thunder rank #1 in defensive rating in the NBA at 107.3. They make every offense work harder.
- Denver’s offense dipped. They scored 10 fewer points than their season average.
- The Thunder’s depth held up — they got contributions up and down the lineup.
Games 4 & 5: The 2025 Playoff Series (May 2025)
These two games were part of the 2024–25 NBA Playoffs — a first-round series that OKC won.
Game 4: Nuggets 119, Thunder 107 — May 15, 2025
Denver’s response game. Nikola Jokić (who averages 28.8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, and 10.3 APG this season) was the key factor. In playoff mode, Jokić turns it up. Denver forced the series to continue.
Game 5: Thunder 112, Nuggets 105 — May 13, 2025
OKC took this one on their floor. The Thunder’s defense — the best in the league — showed up again. Denver could never build a comfortable lead and fell short in a close finish.
Read: Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats 2026: Full Box Score & History
Team Stats Comparison: Last 5 Games Trend
Here’s how the two teams compare across key stats in this matchup:
| Stat | Denver Nuggets | OKC Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| Series Record (last 5) | 2–3 | 3–2 |
| Avg. Points Scored | ~117 | ~115 |
| Biggest Win Margin | +20 (Apr 11) | +10 (Feb 27) |
| Best Defensive Game | 107 allowed (Apr 11) | 105 allowed (May 13) |
| Offensive Rating (season) | 121.4 (1st in NBA) | 118.3 (6th in NBA) |
| Defensive Rating (season) | 117.6 (23rd) | 107.3 (1st) |
| Net Rating (season) | +3.8 | +11.0 |
The big contrast: Denver scores at will. OKC stops everything. When those two forces meet, something has to give — and the numbers show OKC’s defense has usually kept Denver in check.
Star Player Spotlight: The Key Names in This Matchup
Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
Jokić is the best player in basketball right now. His 2025–26 stats say everything:
- 28.8 PPG — leads the Nuggets
- 12.5 RPG — leads the entire NBA
- 10.3 APG — leads the entire NBA
- 68.0% True Shooting % — best in the league
- He leads the NBA in both DraftKings (3,164 pts) and FanDuel (2,970 pts) fantasy scoring this season
When Jokić is locked in, Denver is nearly impossible to beat. In the Apr 11 win, the Nuggets posted 127 points with strong depth — Jokić’s gravity creates open looks for everyone.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC Thunder)
SGA is Jokić’s rival for MVP. His numbers this season:
- 31.6 PPG — 2nd in the NBA
- Elite shot creation, gets to the line, and makes clutch plays late
- One of the best defensive guards in the league
When OKC wins these games, SGA is usually the main reason. His scoring in close games late in the 4th quarter has been a consistent difference-maker.
Chet Holmgren (OKC Thunder)
- 1.9 BPG — one of the top shot-blockers in the league
- Holmgren alters shots even when he doesn’t get the block
- His presence in the paint forces Denver’s drivers to adjust
Jonas Valanciunas (Denver Nuggets)
His Apr 11 game — 23 pts, 17 rebounds, 64.3% shooting — was a star turn. He’s not always the focal point, but against OKC’s frontline, he’s been a problem.
3 Key Trends You Need to Know
1. OKC’s Defense Is the Biggest Obstacle for Denver
The Thunder’s 107.3 defensive rating is the best in the NBA. Nobody scores easily against them. Denver’s offense is the league’s best, but in 3 of the last 5 games, OKC held them below their average. The one time Denver broke out (127 points, Apr 11), they won by 20.
2. Denver’s Bench Depth Is Underrated
In the Apr 11 win, Denver’s bench scored 50 points. Strawther (22), Roddy (21), and Jones (7) all came off the bench and contributed big. OKC’s bench scored 37. That 13-point bench advantage mattered a lot.
3. Turnovers Can Swing These Games Fast
In the Apr 11 game, OKC’s Nikola Topic had 11 assists — but also 8 turnovers. Denver scored 21 points off OKC’s turnovers. In close games (like the Feb 27 one), fewer mistakes from OKC helped them win. Turnover management is the hidden key to this series.
2025–26 Season Standings Context
These games have big playoff implications. Here’s where both teams stand:
| Team | W | L | PCT | Conference Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OKC Thunder | 50 | 15 | .769 | 1st in West |
| Denver Nuggets | 39 | 25 | .609 | 6th in West |
OKC is the best team in the Western Conference — and arguably the entire NBA right now. Their +11.0 net rating is the top mark in the league. Denver is a solid playoff team but has a bigger gap to close this year.
Note: In the 2025–26 playoffs, OKC swept Denver’s first-round opponent (the Suns 4–0) and advanced. Denver, meanwhile, lost to the Timberwolves in the first round 4–2. The two teams did not meet in the postseason this year — but based on the regular season results, OKC had the clear edge.
What to Watch in Future Nuggets–Thunder Games?
When these two teams meet again, here’s what decides the outcome:
- Jokić vs. OKC’s defense: Can Jokić get clean post touches, or will OKC’s length bother him?
- SGA vs. Denver’s perimeter D: Denver ranks 23rd in defense. SGA will get his — the question is how many others join him.
- Bench scoring: Denver’s bench depth showed in the April blowout. If their reserves keep producing, they can compete.
- Turnovers: OKC’s attack can be frantic and turnover-prone. Denver is excellent at converting those into points.
FAQs: Nuggets vs Thunder Player Stats
Q: Who won the most recent Nuggets vs Thunder game? Denver won 127–107 on April 11, 2026. It was their most convincing win in the last five meetings.
Q: Who had the most points in the last Nuggets vs Thunder game? Jonas Valanciunas led Denver with 23 points. Branden Carlson led OKC with 23 points as well.
Q: Who leads the Nuggets in scoring? Nikola Jokić leads Denver with 28.8 PPG. He also leads the team in rebounds (12.5) and assists (10.3).
Q: Who leads the Thunder in scoring? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC with 31.6 PPG — second in the entire NBA.
Q: What is OKC’s defensive rating in 2025–26? 107.3 — the best defensive rating of any team in the NBA this season.
Q: What is Denver’s offensive rating in 2025–26? 121.4 — the best offensive rating of any team in the NBA this season.
Q: How many times have the Nuggets and Thunder played in the last 5 games? Five games — three in the 2025–26 regular season and two in the 2024–25 playoffs. OKC leads the recent series 3–2.
Q: Did OKC and Denver meet in the 2026 playoffs? No. OKC beat the Suns in the first round and Denver lost to Minnesota. The two teams did not face each other in the 2026 postseason.
Q: Who had the best plus/minus in the April 11 game? Jonas Valanciunas led Denver with a +16. On the OKC side, Branden Carlson had a -21, showing how far the team as a whole fell short that night.
Q: What is Jokić’s true shooting percentage this season? 68.0% — the best mark in the entire NBA, well above the league average.
Final Word
This is one of the best matchups in the NBA. You’ve got the best offense (Denver) against the best defense (OKC). You’ve got Jokić vs. SGA — two of the top three MVP candidates in the league. And the recent results show just how close these games tend to be.
OKC leads the last five meetings 3–2. But Denver’s April 11 blowout proves they’re capable of dominating this matchup when things click. If these teams meet in a future playoff series, it’ll be a chess match — and a must-watch.
