Nuggets vs. Thunder Preview: Clash of Western Conference Contenders

Denver looks to bounce back against first-place Oklahoma City in key NBA matchup

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Denver Nuggets will travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder in a crucial Western Conference showdown on Monday night. Denver is coming off a blowout loss to the Knicks, while Oklahoma City has won five straight games. The Nuggets are led by Nikola Jokic, while the Thunder are paced by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Both teams are jockeying for playoff position in the West.

Why it matters

This game features two of the top teams in the Western Conference, with the Thunder currently leading the conference and the Nuggets sitting in sixth place. A win for Denver could help them gain ground in the standings, while Oklahoma City will look to further cement its position atop the West.

The details

The Nuggets (39-25) are 22-12 on the road this season, while the Thunder (50-15) are 26-6 at home. Denver's Jamal Murray is questionable with an ankle injury, while Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren is questionable with the flu. The Thunder have won the last two meetings between the teams.

  • The game is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
  • Denver is coming off a 142-103 loss to the Knicks on Friday, March 7.
  • Oklahoma City defeated the Warriors 104-97 on Saturday, March 8.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' star center is projected to average 24.6 points in the game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder's leading scorer is projected to put up 31.5 points.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated the game 10,000 times and is projecting the Over to hit over 57% of the time, with the teams combining for 235 points.

The takeaway

This matchup features two of the top teams in the Western Conference, with the Thunder looking to solidify their position atop the standings and the Nuggets hoping to gain ground. The game should be a high-scoring affair, with both teams' star players expected to have big performances.