The intense best-of-seven series between the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets continues with Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal matchup in the 2025 NBA playoffs. The series is currently tied 1-1 after the Thunder secured a dominant 149-106 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday, evening the score after dropping the opener.
Game Context and Team Records
Game 3 is scheduled for Friday at Ball Arena in Denver, with tipoff set for 10 p.m. ET. The Oklahoma City Thunder boast an impressive 68-14 overall record for the 2024-25 season, including a strong 34-8 performance away from home in the regular season and playoffs. The Denver Nuggets hold a 50-32 record and have been solid on their home court this season with a 29-16 mark. Historically, these two franchises have met four times in the NBA playoffs, splitting the series matchups evenly.
Oklahoma City Thunder Analysis
Oklahoma City`s success is significantly driven by point guard Shai Gilgeander-Alexander, who has been exceptional throughout this postseason. Across six playoff games, he`s averaged 29.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.2 steals in 35 minutes per game. His performance in Game 2 was particularly impactful, leading the team with 34 points, eight assists, and four rebounds. He also neared a triple-double in the Game 1 loss, recording 33 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
Forward Jalen Williams provides crucial support and is one of four Thunder players averaging double-digit points in the playoffs. In six starts, Williams averages 21 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and one block in 33.3 minutes per game. He contributed 17 points, seven assists, and four rebounds in the Game 2 win and had a strong 26-point performance earlier in the playoffs.
Denver Nuggets Analysis
For Denver, center Nikola Jokic remains a formidable force, consistently nearing a triple-double average in the postseason. Through nine starts, he`s posted averages of 25.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists, two steals, and one block in 39.4 minutes. Jokic delivered a monster performance in Game 1, scoring 42 points along with 22 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks in 42 minutes. He also recorded three triple-doubles in their prior seven-game series.
Point guard Jamal Murray is another key scorer for the Nuggets and one of six Denver players averaging at least nine points during the playoffs. In nine starts, he is averaging 21.7 points, 5.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and one steal in 41.2 minutes. He contributed 21 points, six rebounds, and six assists in the series opener and had a high of 43 points in an earlier playoff game.
Projection Insights
According to a proven sports projection model that has successfully simulated NBA games, this matchup is projected to result in a combined score lower than 232.5 points, predicting approximately 220 total points. The model also suggests one specific side of the point spread is favored to cover in over 50% of simulations.
Jasper Hawthorne