OKC Thunder vs Nuggets Game 2 preview: Three keys, how to watch, history, injury news, last meeting, odds

Game 1 of the Thunder-Nuggets series delivered high drama, a stunning comeback, and a reminder that nothing comes easy in the NBA Playoffs. As the series shifts to Game 2, here are three key storylines to track as both teams look to make adjustments and grab momentum.

3 Keys for Game 2 of Thunder vs. Nuggets

1. Oklahoma City Bench/Denver legs

Denver's starting 5 is a force when healthy. The bench is the biggest question mark, which played a role in the firing of Mike Malone and Calvin Booth. Coming off a grueling seven-game series against the Clippers, Denver looked anything but gassed in Game 1, even with a short bench.

Six players averaged 25-plus minutes in the first round, with Watson averaging 13 minutes. OKC had 7 guys with 20 minutes or more, and then Wiggins and Joe in double digits.

Denver is basically 6 or 7 deep, while OKC easily goes 10. Can Denver sustain that energy in Game 2?

Jamal Murray is still nursing injuries and facing constant pressure from elite Thunder defenders like Lu Dort and Alex Caruso. Three starters played 40+ minutes. How will Denver approach game 2?

2. Hartenstein and Chet

OKC was bullied on the boards in game 1. Hartenstein was brought in specifically for a series like this to allow Chet more freedom on both ends of the floor.

What can't happen is getting outrebounded by a margin of 20 again. Denver, at one point this season, was the best team in the league in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage, which has fallen off a bit.

The Nuggets are still 5th in ORB% while OKC sits at 21st.

3. Jalen Williams

A respective bounce-back in Game 2 will be pivotal. Williams’ scoring versatility is vital for OKC to keep pace with Denver's firepower.

His 5-of-20 shooting and 2-of-9 from deep were tough to overcome. OKC’s offense can’t just rely on SGA. If Williams wants to cement himself as a legit No. 2 option, that starts with a bounce-back Game 2.

THUNDER COVERAGE ⚡

🏀For more OKC Thunder Playoff coverage, CLICK HERE.

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Full Injury Report:

Denver Nuggets

Holmes II, DaRon Out Injury/Illness - Right Achilles Tendon; Repair

Oklahoma City Thunder

Topic, Nikola Out Injury/Illness - Left Knee; Surgery

Last Matchup

Aaron Gordon buried a 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds left to cap a dramatic 121-119 comeback win for the Denver Nuggets over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, backing a monster 42-point, 22-rebound outing from Nikola Jokic.

It was Gordon’s second game-winner of the playoffs, but his impact went far beyond the shot — finishing with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and a key leadership role. “He is the soul of our team,” said interim coach David Adelman.

Denver rallied from an 11-point deficit with under five minutes remaining, capitalizing on Chet Holmgren’s missed free throws and late-game fouling by OKC. Russell Westbrook, playing his first playoff game in Oklahoma City as an opponent, assisted on the winning bucket.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 33 points, 10 boards, and 8 assists, but their youth showed as they let a 113-102 lead slip away. Despite a flagrant foul giving Jokic five fouls, he stayed in the game and helped Denver seal it at the line.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault stood by his late-game strategy but admitted the execution fell short. “We’ll learn from it,” he said.

The defending champs stole Game 1 — and the momentum.

Thunder vs. Nuggets Playoff History

2011 Western Conference First Round

1. Series Result: Thunder won 4-1
2. Overview:
3. This was the first and (as of 2025) only playoff meeting between the two franchises.
4. The Thunder, led by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, were emerging as contenders.
5. Denver had just traded Carmelo Anthony and was relying on a deeper, balanced team with players like Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, and Nene.
6. Durant averaged 32.4 PPG in the series, including 41 points in the series-clinching Game 5.

Other Notes

1. Since 2011, the teams have not faced each other in the postseason, though they’ve had several intense regular-season matchups.
2. Both teams have experienced major roster changes and rebuilds since then, and as of 2025, both are again contenders in the West.

SuperSonics vs. Nuggets Playoff History

1982 Western Conference First Round

1. Result: Seattle won 2-1
2. This was back when the first round was a best-of-three series.
3. Key players for Seattle: Jack Sikma, Gus Williams
4. Key players for Denver: Alex English, Kiki Vandeweghe

1988 Western Conference First Round

1. Result: Seattle won 3-2
2. A tightly contested five-game series.
3. Seattle was led by Dale Ellis and Xavier McDaniel.
4. Denver featured Alex English, Fat Lever, and Michael Adams.

1994 Western Conference First Round

1. Result: Denver won 3-2
2. Historic upset:
3. Seattle was the #1 seed, and Denver was #8.
4. Denver became the first 8-seed in NBA history to beat a 1-seed in the playoffs.
5. Famous for the image of Dikembe Mutombo lying on the floor, holding the ball in celebration.
6. Seattle stars: Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp
7. Denver stars: Dikembe Mutombo, LaPhonso Ellis, Robert Pack

Looking Ahead

Western Conference Semi-Finals – Thunder vs. Grizzlies

1. Game 2: Nuggets at Thunder (Wed. May 7, 9:30 , TNT)
2. Game 3: Thunder at Nuggets (Fri. May 9, 9:00, ESPN)
3. Game 4: Thunder at Nuggets (Sun. May 11, 2:30, ABC)
4. Game 5: Nuggets at Thunder (TBD)* If necessary
5. Game 6: Thunder at Nuggets (TBD)* If necessary
6. Game 7: Nuggets at Thunder (TBD)* If necessary

Game Info

May 5, 2025, 8:30

Paycom Center, Oklahoma City

Watch: TNT, FanDuel Oklahoma

Odds

The Thunder are listed as 11-point favorites via FanDuel