Latest news with #Thunder-Nuggets
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Reacts to Postgame Handshake Between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic
It was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder who came out on top in what turned out to be a second-round NBA playoffs matchup for the ages. Everything was on the line on Sunday for the Thunder and the Denver Nuggets as the two teams engaged in a winner-take-all Game 7 clash. In the end, however, it was OKC that reigned supreme after a dominant 125-93 blowout win in the most important game of the season for both teams. Advertisement Gilgeous-Alexander stepped it up for his team when it mattered the most, dropping a game-high 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting, to go along with three rebounds, four assists, three steals, a block and zero turnovers in 36 minutes of action. OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2)© Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Shortly after the final buzzer, Gilgeous-Alexander was seen sharing a brief moment on the court with Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic (20 points, nine rebounds, seven assists). Gilgeous-Alexander had a few words for the three-time MVP after handing Jokic and Co. a heartbreaking season-ending loss. The NBA shared a video of the postgame handshake between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, adding the perfect caption to describe the moment. Advertisement "Nothing but respect between SGA and Jokić 🤝" the league posted on X. In the video above, it is unclear what Gilgeous-Alexander's exact message was and if Jokic said anything to the Thunder guard. However, what cannot be denied is that there's nothing but mutual respect from these two superstars. It also so happens that Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic are the two frontrunners for this season's Most Valuable Player crown. Technically, the MVP award is determined by each candidate's performance in the regular season, so the result of this series should not impact the decision. However, at this point, it would not be surprising if Jokic ends up settling for second place as Gilgeous-Alexander bags his first career MVP award. Advertisement Related: NBA Reacts to Slow-Mo Video of Nikola Jokic's Pass in Nuggets-Thunder Game Related: Shaquille O'Neal Confidently Picks Winner of Thunder-Nuggets Related: Aaron Gordon Makes His Opinion of Russell Westbrook Clear After Rumored Conflict
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who is Jaylin Williams? Get to know OKC Thunder forward from Arkansas
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability subject to change. Jaylin Williams is in his third season with the Oklahoma City Thunder after he was selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft out of Arkansas. Here is what else you need to know about the Thunder big man: Advertisement More: Thunder vs Nuggets score, live updates: How to watch Game 2 of NBA playoff series Where is Jaylin Williams from? Jaylin Williams was born June 29, 2002, growing up about 180 miles east of Oklahoma City in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was high school teammates with fellow Thunder player Isaiah Joe and they later played together at Arkansas. More: OKC Thunder faces NBA playoff dilemma: How to best defend Nuggets star Nikola Jokic Get to know Jaylin Williams' parents, Vietnamese heritage Jaylin Williams's parents are Michael and Linda Williams. Jaylin has three brothers and one sister. Williams' Vietnamese heritage comes from his mom's side. Linda Williams was born in Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, before moving to the United States with her mom, Nga, in 1975 after the Vietnam War. Advertisement The Thunder big man is the first player of Vietnamese descent ever to play in the NBA. 'It never dawned on us he would be,' Linda Williams told The Oklahoman in 2023. 'It's so special to our family, to Jaylin … I'm still in awe of my son and what he's capable of doing.' More: Did OKC Thunder's lack of clutch-time experience lead to Game 1 collapse vs. Nuggets? Is Jaylin Williams related to Jalen Williams? Jalen Williams, left, and Jaylin Willams ham it up for the cameras. Thunder media day ay the Paycom Center Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. No. Stop asking. Blame the Thunder for the confusion, if you must, for drafting both players in the 2022 NBA Draft. That was a spectacular draft for Thunder general manager Sam Presti, who was named NBA Executive of the Year on Tuesday. OKC drafted Chet Holmgren second overall, Ousmane Dieng 11th, Jalen Williams 12th and Jaylin Williams 34th. Advertisement More: When will 2024-25 NBA awards be announced? Schedule set for most winners Jaylin Williams making impact in Game 2 of Thunder-Nuggets playoff series Thunder outscored Denver 10-2 in a 3-min span with Jaylin Williams on the floor Wednesday night in the first half. That lineup with him, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren had a 40 defensive rating. And saw him push back on Russell Westbrook and match his intensity, which hadn't really happened to this point. Follow along from Game 2 live HERE. More: OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti named NBA Basketball Executive of the Year for first time Jaylin Williams' stats with OKC Thunder in 2024-25 season Points per game: 5.9 Rebounds per game: 5.6 Assists per game: 2.6 Games played: 47 (nine starts) Minutes per game: 16.7 This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who is Jaylin Williams? Get to know OKC Thunder forward from Arkansas
Fox Sports
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Thunder vs. Nuggets Game 7 prediction, how to watch, TV channel, odds
Data Skrive In Game 7 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder will go up against the Denver Nuggets. Sunday's matchup between the Thunder and the Nuggets features the Thunder as solid 8-point favorites. The over/under is 213.5 points for the game. Here is everything you need to know to know about the Thunder-Nuggets game, from the point spread, moneyline, total Over/Under and expert picks, as well as TV channel and streaming information. Thunder vs. Nuggets Game Information, TV Channel & Odds When: Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. ET Where: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma TV: ABC Thunder vs Nuggets Betting Information Favorite Spread Favorite Spread Odds Underdog Spread Odds Total Over Total Odds Under Total Odds Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline Thunder -8 -110 -110 213.5 -112 -108 -298 +240 Thunder vs. Nuggets Prediction ATS Pick: Thunder (- 8) O/U Pick: Over (213.5) Score Prediction: Thunder 122 - Nuggets 109 Thunder vs. Nuggets Betting Insights This season, the Thunder games have finished over 213.5 points scored, their current matchup's over/under, 64 (out of 82) times. This year, 70 of the Nuggets' 82 games have had a combined total of more than 213.5 points scored. The Thunder and the Nuggets combine to average 27.8 more points per game than the over/under of 213.5 set for this game. The Thunder and the Nuggets have seen their opponents average a combined 11.0 more points per game than the point total of 213.5 set in this outing. Oklahoma City has won 65, or 83.3%, of the 78 contests in which it was the favorite this year. Denver has been victorious in 10, or 52.6%, of the 19 contests it has been chosen as an underdog in this season. Oklahoma City and Denver have each won five of their last 10 head-to-head matchups. The Nuggets have an advantage against the spread (7-3) when taking the court against the Thunder. In their past four games the Thunder have beaten the spread, and they were the favorites in all of those games. The Nuggets have covered in three straight games against the point spread, and were the favorite in all of them. Thunder Recent Trends The Thunder have gone 7-3 in their last 10 contests, with a 3-7 record against the spread in that span. Oklahoma City has averaged a total of 227.0 combined points in its last 10 games, 13.5 greater than this matchup's over/under of 213.5. The Thunder are 53-25-4 against the spread this year. This season, Oklahoma City has an against the spread record of 30-15-3 in its 48 games as a favorite of 8 points or more. Thunder games this year have eclipsed the over/under 45 times in 82 opportunities (54.9%). The Thunder record just 3.6 more points per game (120.5) than the Nuggets allow (116.9). Oklahoma City has a 38-12-1 record against the spread and a 46-5 record overall when scoring more than 116.9 points. The Thunder are shooting 48.2% from the field this season, 1.6 percentage points higher than the 46.6% the Nuggets allow to opponents. Against the spread, the Thunder have fared better at home, covering 28 times in 42 home games, and 25 times in 40 road games. When it comes to over/unders, Oklahoma City hits the over more often at home, as it has gone over the total 25 times in 42 opportunities this season (59.5%). In away games, it has hit the over 20 times in 40 opportunities (50%). When playing at home, the Thunder have won more consistently as a moneyline favorite, producing a record of 35-6 (.854). In road games, they are 30-7 (.811) as a moneyline favorite. Thunder Recent Stats Stat Average Rank Points Scored 120.5 4 Points Allowed 107.6 3 Rebounds 44.8 11 Assists 26.9 12 Steals 10.3 1 Blocks 5.7 2 Thunder Leaders Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 32.7 points, 5 rebounds and 6.4 assists per contest. At the other end, he averages 1.7 steals (fourth in NBA) and 1 block. Jalen Williams puts up 21.6 points, 5.3 boards and 5.1 assists per contest. At the other end, he averages 1.6 steals (seventh in league) and 0.7 blocks. Isaiah Hartenstein averages 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Defensively, he averages 0.8 steals and 1.1 blocks. Aaron Wiggins averages 12 points, 1.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds. Luguentz Dort averages 10.1 points, 4.1 boards and 1.6 assists per contest, shooting 43.5% from the field and 41.2% from downtown with 2.4 made treys per game. Thunder Player Props Points O/U Points Over Odds PPG (Reg. Season) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 31.5 -105 32.7 Jalen Williams 19.5 -120 21.6 Chet Holmgren 14.5 -115 15.0 Isaiah Hartenstein 10.5 +105 11.2 Luguentz Dort 9.5 +100 10.1 Nuggets Recent Trends The Nuggets have gone 6-4 over their last 10 games, with a 9-1 record against the spread in that span. Denver's average total over the last 10 games is 6.3 points greater than the 213.5 over/under given for this matchup. Against the spread, the Nuggets are 38-44-0 this season. Denver has covered the spread twice this year when underdogs by 8 points or more (in three chances). Nuggets games this season have hit the over on 49 of 82 set point totals (59.8%). The Nuggets put up an average of 120.8 points per game, 13.2 more points than the 107.6 the Thunder allow. When it scores more than 107.6 points, Denver is 38-30 against the spread and 49-19 overall. The Nuggets' 50.6% shooting percentage from the field this season is seven percentage points higher than the Thunder have allowed to their opponents (43.6%). Against the spread, the Nuggets have had better results on the road (20-21-0) than at home (18-23-0) . Denver's games have finished above the over/under 63.4% of the time at home (26 of 41), and 56.1% of the time on the road (23 of 41). As moneyline favorites, the Nuggets have won a higher percentage of games at home (24-13) than away (16-10). Nuggets Recent Stats Stat Average Rank Points Scored 120.8 3 Points Allowed 116.9 24 Rebounds 45.7 4 Assists 31 1 Steals 8 17 Blocks 4.9 15 Nuggets Leaders Nikola Jokic is averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game. He's also draining 57.6% of his shots from the field (ninth in league) and 41.7% from beyond the arc, with 2 triples per contest. The Nuggets are getting 21.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6 assists per game from Jamal Murray this year. The Nuggets are getting 18.2 points, 7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game from Michael Porter Jr. this season. The Nuggets are receiving 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game from Christian Braun this season. Russell Westbrook gets the Nuggets 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per contest while delivering 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocked shots. Nuggets Player Props Points O/U Points Over Odds PPG (Reg. Season) Nikola Jokic 29.5 -125 29.6 Jamal Murray 21.5 -110 21.4 Christian Braun 13.5 -115 15.4 Aaron Gordon 12.5 -110 14.7 Michael Porter Jr. 10.5 -125 18.2 FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Basketball Association Oklahoma City Thunder Denver Nuggets recommended
Fox Sports
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Thunder vs. Nuggets Game 6 prediction, how to watch, TV channel, odds
Data Skrive The Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets are meeting in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, with a decisive Game 6 up next. Oklahoma City is a 4.5-point favorite against Denver when the Thunder face off against the Nuggets on Thursday. The matchup's point total is 216.5. Here's everything you need to know about the Thunder-Nuggets game, from the point spread, moneyline, total Over/Under and expert picks, as well as TV channel and streaming information. Thunder vs. Nuggets Game Information, TV Channel & Odds When: Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 8:30 p.m. ET Where: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado TV: ESPN Thunder vs Nuggets Betting Information Favorite Spread Favorite Spread Odds Underdog Spread Odds Total Over Total Odds Under Total Odds Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline Thunder -4.5 -115 -105 216.5 -110 -110 -185 +154 Thunder vs. Nuggets Prediction ATS Pick: Thunder (- 4.5) O/U Pick: Over (216.5) Score Prediction: Thunder 120 - Nuggets 111 Thunder vs. Nuggets Betting Insights The Thunder and their opponent have combined to score over 216.5 points, the current matchup's point total, in 60 of 82 games this season. The Nuggets games have gone over 216.5 total points scored in 70 of 82 total matchups this season. The Thunder and the Nuggets combine to average 24.8 more points per game than the over/under of 216.5 set for this matchup. Opponents of these two teams have averaged a combined 224.5 points per game, 8.0 more than the point total in this matchup. Oklahoma City has been chosen as the favorite in 78 games this year and has walked away with the win 65 times (83.3%) in those games. Denver has won in 10, or 52.6%, of the 19 contests it has been named as the odds-on underdog this year. After the last nine head-to-head matchups, Oklahoma City has a 5-4 record against Denver. The Nuggets have a 6-3 advantage against the spread when playing the Thunder. Against the spread, the Thunder have covered for four straight games, and were favored in all of those games. The Nuggets have been favored in each of their past three contests, and covered the spread in all three. Thunder Recent Trends The Thunder have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games, with a 4-6 record against the spread during that span. Oklahoma City's average total over the last 10 games is 11.8 points more than the 216.5 over/under listed for this matchup. The Thunder have 53 wins against the spread in 82 games this season. So far this season, Oklahoma City has been installed as favorites by a 4.5-point margin or more 67 times and are 42-22-3 ATS in those contests. The Thunder have eclipsed the over/under in 54.9% of their opportunities this year (45 times in 82 games with a set point total). The Thunder score just 3.6 more points per game (120.5) than the Nuggets allow (116.9). Oklahoma City has a 38-12-1 record against the spread and a 46-5 record overall when scoring more than 116.9 points. This season, the Thunder have a 48.2% shooting percentage from the field, which is 1.6% higher than the 46.6% of shots the Nuggets' opponents have made. The Thunder have done a better job covering the spread in home games (28-11-3) than they have in road games (25-14-1). Looking at over/unders, Oklahoma City hits the over more consistently in home games, as it has eclipsed the total 25 times in 42 opportunities this season (59.5%). On the road, it has hit the over 20 times in 40 opportunities (50%). The Thunder have fared better as a moneyline favorite when playing at home, posting a home record of 35-6, compared to going 30-7 in road games. Thunder Recent Stats Stat Average Rank Points Scored 120.5 4 Points Allowed 107.6 3 Rebounds 44.8 11 Assists 26.9 12 Steals 10.3 1 Blocks 5.7 2 Thunder Leaders Shai Gilgeous-Alexander puts up 32.7 points, 6.4 assists and 5 boards per game. Jalen Williams puts up 21.6 points, 5.3 boards and 5.1 assists per contest. At the other end, he averages 1.6 steals (seventh in league) and 0.7 blocks. Isaiah Hartenstein averages 11.2 points, 10.7 boards and 3.8 assists per contest, shooting 58.1% from the field. Aaron Wiggins averages 12 points, 1.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds. Luguentz Dort averages 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Defensively he averages 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks. Thunder Player Props Points O/U Points Over Odds PPG (Reg. Season) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.5 -115 32.7 Jalen Williams 21.5 -105 21.6 Chet Holmgren 13.5 -130 15.0 Isaiah Hartenstein 10.5 -120 11.2 Alex Caruso 8.5 -105 7.1 Nuggets Recent Trends The Nuggets are 8-2 against the spread and 5-5 overall over their past 10 contests. Denver and its opponents have combined to score an average of 219.5 combined points over its last 10 games, 3.0 more than the 216.5 over/under in this matchup. The Nuggets have 38 wins against the spread in 82 games this season. So far this season, Denver has been installed as underdogs by a 4.5-point margin or more 10 times and are 5-5 ATS in those matchups. Nuggets games this season have hit the over on 49 of 82 set point totals (59.8%). The Nuggets' 120.8 points per game are 13.2 more points than the 107.6 the Thunder allow to opponents. When it scores more than 107.6 points, Denver is 38-30 against the spread and 49-19 overall. The Nuggets are shooting 50.6% from the field, seven% higher than the 43.6% the Thunder's opponents have shot this season. The Nuggets have been better against the spread on the road (20-21-0) than at home (18-23-0) this season. Looking at the over/under, Denver's games have finished over more often at home (26 of 41, 63.4%) than away (23 of 41, 56.1%). In 2024-25 when moneyline favorites, the Nuggets have a better winning percentage at home (.649, 24-13 record) than away (.615, 16-10). Nuggets Recent Stats Stat Average Rank Points Scored 120.8 3 Points Allowed 116.9 24 Rebounds 45.7 4 Assists 31 1 Steals 8 17 Blocks 4.9 15 Nuggets Leaders On a per-game basis, Nikola Jokic gives the Nuggets 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists. He also averages 1.8 steals (second in league) and 0.6 blocked shots. The Nuggets are getting 21.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6 assists per game from Jamal Murray this year. Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 18.2 points, 7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. He is making 50.4% of his shots from the field and 39.5% from 3-point range, with 2.5 triples per contest. The Nuggets are receiving 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game from Christian Braun this season. Russell Westbrook is putting up 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per contest. He is draining 44.9% of his shots from the floor and 32.3% from 3-point range, with 1.3 triples per game. Nuggets Player Props Points O/U Points Over Odds PPG (Reg. Season) Nikola Jokic 27.5 -120 29.6 Jamal Murray 21.5 -110 21.4 Aaron Gordon 16.5 -105 14.7 Christian Braun 12.5 -115 15.4 Russell Westbrook 9.5 -105 13.3 FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Basketball Association Denver Nuggets Oklahoma City Thunder recommended
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nikola Jokic Assigns Blame for Nuggets' Game 4 Loss vs. Thunder
The Denver Nuggets came up short on Sunday night in Game 4 of their NBA playoffs second-round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Denver was in a position to take a commanding 3-1 lead by securing a home win at Ball Arena on Sunday, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder had other ideas. Advertisement OKC fought hard for a 92-87 win to tie this series at 2-2 heading to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Tuesday. Nikola Jokic, who finished Sunday's loss with a game-high 27 points on 7-of-22 shooting, 13 rebounds, three assists, four steals and two triples, spoke to reporters after the game to try and shed light on this deflating defeat. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) complains during a Adams-Imagn Images When asked about his shooting struggles over the past couple of games, Jokic credited the Thunder's effective defensive schemes against him. "They're playing really good defense on me," he said. "They're really into my body, handsy, physical. I think I missed two or three open looks tonight, so it's a little bit of everything. They're shrinking the floor for me. They're having a guy behind a defender, so it's a little bit of everything. Advertisement "I need to do a better job, of course, but it's part of the game." Jokic clearly believes that it's on him to make the necessary adjustments. He knows how great a player he is, and he is determined to play much better as this series winds down. Jokic then went into detail about a specific sequence late in the game where he felt he came up short for his team. "I think I had a hook at (the) fourth quarter, I had an open hook," continued the three-time MVP. "I missed two free throws, big two free throws, I messed up. We were down four if I made it. We were down two, one possession game. So they scored after that, so it's a six-point, two-possession game or even more. Advertisement "So I think we had the chances. We just didn't basically make shots." While Jokic is more than willing to take full accountability for the loss, he also called out Denver's inability to make shots in Game 4, which OKC took full advantage of. Jokic will need to be better in Game 5 as they face arguably the toughest road test in their season thus far. Related: Nikola Jokic Facing Major Accusation From Nuggets-Thunder Game 1 Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Had Words for Nuggets Fans After Thunder Loss Related: Shaquille O'Neal Confidently Picks Winner of Thunder-Nuggets
