The Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets are set to reignite their rivalry tonight in a preseason showdown that feels anything but ordinary. The echoes of last spring’s Western Conference semifinals still reverberate through both locker rooms—after all, it was the Thunder who stunned the Nuggets in a dramatic Game 7, paving their way to a historic first NBA Championship. Now, just months later, these two Western Conference heavyweights find themselves facing off once more, this time with revamped rosters, fresh ambitions, and a whole lot to prove before the regular season tips off.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM MDT (7:00 PM Central) at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center, marking the Thunder’s sixth and final preseason contest and the Nuggets’ fifth. Both teams enter the matchup with impressive preseason records—Denver sits at 3-1, while Oklahoma City boasts a 3-2 slate. But preseason records only tell part of the story. For both franchises, tonight’s game is more about testing new rotations, building chemistry, and perhaps sending a subtle message to a likely playoff rival.
The stakes may be lower than a playoff clash, but the intrigue is sky-high. The Nuggets, who were unceremoniously bounced by the Thunder last postseason, spent the summer retooling with a clear mission: get deeper, get tougher, and get ready for another run at the title. Denver’s front office pulled off a significant trade for Cam Johnson, bolstering their wing depth, and finally secured a legitimate backup center to ease the burden on superstar Nikola Jokic. Add to that a rejuvenated Jamal Murray and Christian Braun, and you’ve got a squad that’s hungry to reclaim its place atop the West.
But perhaps the biggest question hovering over tonight’s contest is the battle of the benches. For the last two seasons, Denver’s second unit has been, to put it mildly, a liability. The numbers were ugly, and the eye test was even worse. But this year, the Nuggets have injected new life into their rotation with four fresh faces, including the return of Bruce Brown, a pivotal piece from their previous championship run. Alongside Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr. (THJ) and "Big Val"—the newly acquired backup center—will look to prove their mettle against Oklahoma City’s vaunted defense. Can this untested group hold its own against a Thunder squad known for aggressive, swarming play on the defensive end?
According to Denver Stiffs, "The Nuggets bench the last two seasons has been bad. Historically bad. But the last years were the last years. This year, the Nuggets come into the season with no less than four new rotation players including a pivotal piece during their previous championship run, Bruce Brown." The pressure is on for this new-look bench to show flashes of cohesion and scoring punch, especially with the starters likely to log limited minutes.
Speaking of starters, don’t expect to see Jokic, Murray, or the rest of Denver’s top guns for more than a quarter—if at all. With the regular season looming and memories of last year’s preseason injury woes still fresh, Nuggets coach Michael Malone is expected to play it safe. "With this being the final preseason game... it’s unlikely the starters will play much, if at all, in this one," notes Denver Stiffs. That means plenty of run for the reserves, including Jalen Pickett, who’s looking to solidify his spot as the every-game backup point guard, and Julian Strawther, who’s fighting for a rotation role.
On the Oklahoma City side, coach Mark Daigneault has played his cards close to the vest throughout the preseason. The Thunder have only fielded their regular rotation for two halves across their first five exhibition games, opting to experiment with lineups and give their young guns valuable experience. The big storyline tonight? The potential preseason debut of Chet Holmgren. The former No. 2 overall pick has yet to suit up this preseason, but if he does, fans could get a tantalizing preview of the offensive leap he’s expected to make this year. Oklahoma City hopes Holmgren can develop into a true three-level scorer with added playmaking—a potential game-changer for a team already brimming with talent.
Rookie Brooks Barnhizer is another name to watch. The Thunder have given him heavy minutes throughout the preseason, and tonight’s finale offers one last audition for the versatile youngster to stake his claim in a crowded rotation. With the regular season opener just days away—Oklahoma City will host the Houston Rockets on October 21, a night that will double as their championship ring ceremony—every minute on the court counts.
But with so much uncertainty around who will actually play, tonight’s game is as much about strategy as it is about execution. Both teams are well aware that they’ll meet again in February for their first regular season clash, and neither side wants to reveal too much or risk injury to key players. As Thunder SI points out, "Does either side want to show the other even a glimpse of their regular rotational players? Would they prefer to get a baseline against one another for a small comparison point for four months down the road?" It’s a classic preseason chess match, with both coaches weighing the benefits of rest versus rhythm.
For fans, the intrigue lies in the unknowns. Will Holmgren finally make his much-anticipated debut? Can Denver’s new bench unit pass its toughest test yet? Will either coach tip their hand, or will we get a glorified scrimmage as both sides keep their powder dry for the games that really matter?
One thing’s for sure: even with stars likely on the sidelines, this matchup has plenty of storylines to keep basketball diehards glued to their screens. The Thunder, fresh off the franchise’s first title, are eager to show that last year was no fluke. The Nuggets, meanwhile, are determined to prove that their offseason moves have closed the gap and set them up for another deep playoff run.
As the preseason curtain falls, the Western Conference’s two top contenders will get one last look at each other before the real battles begin. Whether it’s a preview of things to come or just another page in their growing rivalry, tonight’s game in Oklahoma City promises to deliver plenty of intrigue—and maybe even a few surprises along the way.
With both teams keeping their cards close and the regular season just around the corner, fans will have to wait a little longer for the full-strength rematch. But make no mistake: the road to the 2026 NBA Finals in the West runs straight through Oklahoma City and Denver, and tonight’s preseason finale is just the opening act.
