The Oklahoma City Thunder wrapped up their 2025 preseason in dramatic fashion, defeating the Denver Nuggets 94-91 at the Paycom Center on October 17, thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Ousmane Dieng. The victory not only gave fans a thrilling finish, but also provided a glimpse of what the reigning NBA champions might look like as they prepare to defend their title in the upcoming regular season.
All eyes were on Chet Holmgren, the Thunder’s 7-foot-1 hybrid big man, who made his much-anticipated preseason debut after missing five games with shoulder soreness. Holmgren’s return to the starting lineup was confirmed earlier in the day, with head coach Mark Daigneault rolling out a starting five of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein. Cason Wallace, who had filled in during Holmgren’s absence, returned to the bench.
This preseason finale was more than just another exhibition game. For Oklahoma City, it served as a dress rehearsal for Opening Night on October 21, when they’ll host the Houston Rockets, raise their championship banner, and distribute rings. The Thunder’s lineup against Denver could very well mirror the rotation fans will see as the team begins its title defense.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, took a different approach. Head coach David Adelman opted to rest his key stars—Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Christian Braun—leaving Denver’s backups to face a nearly full-strength Thunder squad. While this meant the matchup lacked some star power on the Denver side, it gave Oklahoma City an opportunity to sharpen their chemistry and test their depth.
The game itself was a rollercoaster. The Thunder trailed by as many as 16 points in the second half, struggling to find their rhythm against a hungry Nuggets bench. But the tide began to turn in the fourth quarter, led by the relentless energy of Ousmane Dieng. Dieng, who had struggled with his shot in previous preseason outings, erupted for 13 of his 17 points in the final period. With the score tied and just seconds remaining, Dieng coolly faked out Denver’s Curtis Jones and launched a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded. The ball splashed through the net, sealing the win and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
“I feel like I was just playing hard,” Dieng said after the game. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do the whole preseason. Even though the shots weren’t falling the last two games, I kept playing hard. ... I think that’s what I did tonight.” (According to The Oklahoman)
Holmgren’s performance, though limited to the first half, was closely scrutinized. In his 19 minutes on the court, he tallied nine points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. While his shooting touch was a bit rusty (3-of-8 from the field, 1-of-4 from deep), Holmgren’s aggressiveness and defensive presence were unmistakable. He attacked mismatches, confidently launched from beyond the arc, and patrolled the paint, looking every bit the player Thunder fans hope can take another leap this season.
Head coach Mark Daigneault was effusive in his praise. “He has great summers. He’s a great worker in the summer. He’s done a great job with his body. He always comes in sharp in terms of his game. I thought that showed up tonight. I was excited to see him play tonight. He didn’t disappoint with just his approach and the way he went about it.” (According to The Oklahoman)
Holmgren’s durability remains a hot topic in NBA circles. After missing his entire rookie season in 2022 with a Lisfranc fracture, Holmgren bounced back to play all 82 games in 2023-24, averaging an impressive 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. However, another serious injury—a right iliac wing fracture in November 2024—sidelined him until early February of this year, once again raising questions about his ability to withstand the rigors of an NBA season. With the Thunder coming off a championship run and expectations sky-high, Holmgren’s health is widely seen as a key to the team’s hopes for a repeat.
“He’s that type of guy,” one report noted, comparing Holmgren’s frame and competitive spirit to NBA legends Kevin Garnett and Kevin Durant. “Thin but not a liability, skinny but not inept, he’s always shown he’s had that dog in him since his Gonzaga days—quite literally as a Bulldog.” (According to recent analysis) The Thunder will be counting on Holmgren to stay on the floor and continue developing his unique skill set.
Another player who made waves this preseason is Brooks Barnhizer, the Thunder’s second-round pick in this year’s draft. Barnhizer played in all six preseason games, averaging 9.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and two steals per game on 43.6% shooting from the field and 41.7% from deep. His defensive instincts and opportunistic scoring have quickly earned him the trust of the coaching staff.
“He’s gotten remarkably better in his minutes on both ends of the floor in terms of just being in the right spots, spacing and cutting,” Daigneault said. “Defensively, he continues to get to the best spots more often than not. ... He’s right where he should be.” (According to The Oklahoman)
For Denver, the loss is unlikely to linger, given the absence of their top players. The Nuggets and Thunder will face off four more times during the regular season, with the next meeting scheduled for February 1. The true test of how these two Western Conference powerhouses stack up will have to wait until both teams are at full strength.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are set to open the 2025-26 NBA regular season at home against the Houston Rockets on October 21. The game will mark a celebration of last season’s championship and the official start of their title defense. With a healthy Holmgren back in the mix, the continued rise of young talents like Dieng and Barnhizer, and a core led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City appears poised for another deep run.
The preseason finale offered Thunder fans a taste of what’s to come: resilience, youthful energy, and a flair for the dramatic. As the regular season approaches, the buzz in Oklahoma City is palpable. If Holmgren and company can stay healthy and build on their preseason momentum, the Thunder may once again find themselves in the thick of the NBA title race.
