Deep breaths, Denver. You survived Game 7. Your reward? A date with the West’s top seed and maybe, just maybe, the league’s next MVP. No rest for the weary, indeed. The Denver Nuggets, fresh off a grueling seven-game slugfest with the Clippers, now pivot immediately, like ASAP, to face Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder in what promises to be an electrifying second-round showdown. Forget scripts, this is playoff basketball at its finest, served ice cold for the exhausted champs.
The way both these teams got here couldn’t have been more different. Denver had to bleed for it, scratching and clawing through seven brutal games, finally unleashing hell in Game 7 just to survive. They’ve got the scars, the grit, but man, they gotta be running on fumes. Jokic and Murray played heavy minutes, and now? Zero rest, straight onto a plane into the Thunderdome. And OKC? They strolled through round one like it was practice, sweeping Memphis off the floor. They’ve been chilling for a week, legs fresh, healthy, just waiting to pounce. The contrast is uncanny.
This series screams MVP showdown! It’s Jokic, the magic man, maybe grabbing his fourth MVP trophy, against SGA, the smooth operator who dropped 30-bombs all year and dragged this young Thunder team to the #1 seed. Jokic bends the game to his will with passes nobody else sees; SGA is a scoring machine, all slithery drives and killer pull-ups. Who takes control? Can Denver even slow down SGA without sending him to the line all night? And does OKC have any prayer against Jokic without leaving shooters wide open?
And don’t forget the pressure cooker. For OKC, this is the moment. They owned the regular season, crushed round one, but now? They face the champs. Can these young guns handle the bright lights, the adjustments, the sheer intensity of playing this Denver team for seven games? For the Nuggets, it’s that heavy crown. Can they fight off the exhaustion? Does that championship heart beat stronger than OKC’s young legs and home court? Or is this where the long road finally takes its toll?
So, where can you watch all this unfold?
Clash of kings: Your guide to Nuggets vs. Thunder round 2
This series is dripping with storylines—the MVP battle, rest vs. rust, depth vs. star power. Below is the confirmed schedule and broadcast info. Remember, OKC holds home-court advantage.
Date
Game
Home Team
Away Team
Time (ET)
Channel
Monday, May 5
1
Thunder
Nuggets
9:30 p.m.
TNT
Wednesday, May 7
2
Thunder
Nuggets
9:30 p.m.
TNT
Friday, May 9
3
Nuggets
Thunder
10:00 p.m.
ESPN
Sunday, May 11
4
Nuggets
Thunder
3:30 p.m.
ABC/Denver7
TBD
5*
Thunder
Nuggets
TBD
TBD
TBD
6*
Nuggets
Thunder
TBD
TBD
TBD
7*
Thunder
Nuggets
TBD
TBD
*If necessary
Okay, beyond the Jokic vs. SGA headlines, what are the real chess moves here? Keep an eye on the Aaron Gordon vs. Jalen Williams matchup. Gordon was huge defensively for Denver last year, but Williams is OKC’s explosive secondary scorer. Can Gordon lock him down without sacrificing help defense elsewhere? On the flip side, how does OKC handle Michael Porter Jr.? If MPJ gets hot from three, it completely changes Denver’s offense, forcing OKC’s defense to stretch thin.
Then there’s the Chet Holmgren factor inside. Denver needs to figure out how to score efficiently around his length without letting him completely dictate the paint. Does Jokic try to draw him out, opening cutting lanes? Or do they test his physicality down low? Expect Denver to try and make Holmgren work defensively, maybe even get him into early foul trouble.
And let’s talk bench mobs. OKC’s depth is a legitimate weapon. Guys like Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace, and potentially Alex Caruso can come in and provide shooting or defense without a huge drop-off. Denver’s bench? It’s been shaky. They need Christian Braun to bring that energy and defense, and maybe Russell Westbrook or Peyton Watson to hit some timely shots. If OKC’s bench consistently outplays Denver’s, those minutes could swing games, especially if fatigue sets in for the Nuggets’ starters.
Apr 19, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) at the free throw line during overtime against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
This isn’t just about talent; it’s about adjustments. Mark Daigneault (OKC’s coach) is known for his smart schemes. How will he try to disrupt Jokic? Will we see unconventional doubles or zones? And how will Denver counter OKC’s aggressive, switching defense?
The coaching battle here is almost as fascinating as the player matchups. This feels like a series where in-game adjustments and exploiting specific weaknesses will be absolutely critical. Game 1 can’t come soon enough.
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