The Oklahoma City Thunder had the best record in the 2024-25 season and ended their successful season with a championship run. Before making the NBA Finals, they lost only four games in the first three rounds. In the NBAFinals, they beat the Indiana Pacers in a hard-fought seven-game series. Their starting center, Isaiah Hartenstein, spoke about how Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets were their biggest hurdle.
Thunder Starter Names the Toughest Hurdle on their Championship Run
Hartenstein was a guest on the Podcast P with Paul George, during which he talked about different topics, including their championship run. Speaking on that, he said that they had only one real hurdle, the Nuggets and Jokic. He said,
“I think we, in general, we were always confident throughout the series. I think the only series where we were kind of a little bit on the ropes was Denver. I think Denver was the only series where I mean, that Joker. I mean, the way they play, they’ve been there before. And that was probably the only series where we were like, even if we do everything right, they probably still have a chance. Every other series, we were like, if we do the right things, we’re good.”
To their credit, the Nuggets did take the Thunder to seven games in the second round of the playoffs. They stole Game 1 in Oklahoma City on an Aaron Gordon game winner. The biggest problem for Denver in that series was their lack of depth and supporting cast. By the end of the series, Denver didn’t have much to offer. Michael Porter Jr. was severely injured, Gordon couldn’t walk in Game 7, and it was not a contest anymore.
Jokic Gave His All
Through seven games against the Thunder, Jokic averaged 28.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and almost a block in 40.4 minutes of action. The Nuggets couldn’t afford to sit him. Every time he went to the bench, the Thunder would make a run.
In Game 1, Jokic dominated with 42 points, 22 rebounds, and six assists. Yet, they needed a Gordon game winner. Then, in Game 2, the Thunder routed Denver, and The Joker played only 32 minutes.
In Games 3 and 4, the Nuggets had a balanced attack, with Jokic scoring 20 and 27 points. With the series tied 2-2, Nikola had another monster performance in Game 5. He finished with 44 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and two steals. But it wasn’t enough as the Thunder won the game.
Nuggets and Thunder Round 2 in the 2026 Playoffs
If the Thunder want to make another championship run and win back-to-back titles, the Nuggets might be their toughest challenge again. According to betting websites, the Thunder have the best odds, but the Nuggets are tied for the second-best odds to win the championship in 2026.
Denver had a great offseason, gaining four quality rotation players in Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Jonas Valanciunas. The next time these two meet, both teams will have a solid rotation and depth. And it might come down to a great MVP duel between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Joker.
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