Nuggets vs. Thunder: Preview, Predictions, Where to Watch

The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Denver Nuggets this afternoon at Paycom Center in a winner-take-all Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

The top-seeded Thunder are looking to validate their 68-win regular season, while the Nuggets are fighting to keep their hopes alive and repeat their magic from their 2023 championship run.

Denver’s chances may hinge on the status of forward Aaron Gordon, who is listed as questionable with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. It doesn’t look like he’ll suit up tonight. And that’s bad news for Denver.

Gordon has been the Nuggets’ third scoring option all postseason and delivered two buzzer-beaters during these playoffs. If he’s unavailable, the Nuggets lose both a floor spacer and a stabilizing two-way presence.

Nikola Jokić has been sensational this postseason, averaging 26.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 8.1 assists. In Game 6, he posted 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists in a wire-to-wire win that pushed the series to a Game 7.

But Jokić alone won’t be enough. Jamal Murray, who’s been battling illness, dropped 25 points in Game 6 and will need to replicate that effort today. Denver will also need another big performance from Christian Braun, who stepped up in Gordon’s absence with 15 points off the bench.

The Thunder’s formula is built on youth, pace, and depth. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to carry the offense and is averaging 28.0 points per game in the series. But Jalen Williams has struggled with consistency and shot selection, and Oklahoma City will need more from him and the bench — even if they’ve already outplayed Denver’s reserves most of the series.

Alex Caruso’s defense has been a quiet but crucial storyline — especially his ability to disrupt Jokić in key possessions. Meanwhile, Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey will be key in helping OKC control the paint and tempo.

Game 7 favors teams with experience — and that’s Denver. But they’re shorthanded and heavily reliant on their stars.

The Thunder, deeper and better rested, have home-court advantage and the legs to run.

Expect a back-and-forth game, but in the end, the Thunder are likely to outlast the champs and punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals.

Series Prediction: Thunder in seven.

How to Watch Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

This afternoon’s Nuggets vs. Thunder game tips off just after 3:30 PM Eastern. The game airs live on ABC and streams on the ABC and ESPN apps, as well as Hulu + Live TV, Sling, and YouTube TV.