OKC Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets Game 2 Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 at the Paycom Center on Wednesday.

After dropping Game 1 with a late-game blunder, the OKC Thunder have to respond at a massive pressure point of this series.

The Denver Nuggets have done the job of the underdogs stealing home court advantage by at least securing a split inside the Paycom Center as the road team.

OKC Thunder, Denver Nugget — May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) and forward Chet Holmgren (7) steal the ball from Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second quarter during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 10.5-point favorites against the Denver Nuggets, and the total over/under is 230 points according to FanDuel.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren must be better as scorers. The two youngsters left a lot to be desired unable to put the pumpkin in the patch during Game 1. Especially when these two shared a stage with superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they couldn't capitalize on any chances the Nuggets forced into their hands away from the league MVP.

The Thunder have to compete on the glass. Monday night's effort was way off and inexcusable in a playoff game. As the Santa Clara product put it postseason, they didn't box out, they didn't put bodies on guys they were "Just watching" in the playoffs. Can't happen. OKC can make up for their lack of rebounding typically with turnovers, but even through creating 18 Denver turnovers on Monday, it didn't put a dent into the lopsided rebounding category (63-43).

Oklahoma City has to shoot the ball well for the first time all postseason. The Nuggets are capable of it, they are proven in these spots to bounce back behind the tape. The Thunder have never shot the ball well from beyond the arc in a big spot in the NBA Playoffs and has to start with Game 2.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (0-1) vs. Denver Nuggets (1-0)

INJURIES:

Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report

Nikola Topic –– Knee: OUT

Denver Nuggets Injury Report

DaRon Holmes II –– Achilles: OUT

Check out later today for an updated injury report.

WHEN:

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

TNT, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD:

The Oklahoma City Thunder have to win this contest inside the Paycom Center to knot the series up at one game a piece. How will the OKC Thunder respond to their Game 1 blunder to leave the door open for Denver? That will determine the Thunder's season.

Up next, the OKC Thunder and Denver Nuggets shift this season series to Denver to take on the Nuggets in Game 3 on Friday.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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