The 2025 NBA Playoffs continue on Sunday with a high-stakes Game 7 showdown in the Western Conference Semifinals between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Both teams are battling to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.
Before we preview tonight’s game, here’s a look at the NBA playoffs bracket.
Updated 2025 NBA Playoffs Bracket
The Eastern Conference Finals matchup is set. It’s the New York Knicks vs. the Indiana Pacers — a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals series.
There’s a lot of history between these two teams. And their rivalry has been renewed in the Jalen Brunson–Tyrese Haliburton era.
For the full Eastern Conference Finals schedule, visit here. Game 1 is set for Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The updated 2025 NBA Playoffs bracket after Friday’s Knicks win, ahead of tonight’s Nuggets-Thunder Game 7.
Sunday, May 18 – Game Preview
Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets
Series tied 3–3
It’s do-or-die time for the Nuggets and Thunder. The odds lead toward Oklahoma City — and may shift even further in their favor if Aaron Gordon is out for tonight’s game.
Gordon is listed as questionable for Game 7 and he’s unlikely to play. The Nuggets forward is suffering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.
Without Gordon, Denver too will suffer — in more ways than one. The Nuggets will be missing Gordon’s clutch shooting — he’s scored two buzzer-beaters this playoffs. But, more importantly, he’s consistently been the third scoring option for a Denver team that lacks depth.
The Nuggets have relied on Nikola Jokić to carry them through the playoffs. He’s averaging 26.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in this postseason. A monster performance from Jokić may be necessary for Denver to simply be competitive. But it won’t be enough to win.
Jamal Murray will have to come up big. And the Nuggets will need a third big scorer. Christian Braun will probably have to step up this afternoon as he did in Game 6.
For the Thunder, the formula remains speed, spacing, and ball movement — but that only works if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets help. Jalen Williams has disappeared in this series.
But the Thunder are a much deeper team — even when the Nuggets are at full strength, with their bench consistently outscoring Denver’s thin set of reserves.
The Nuggets know what it takes to win. But they’re a battered team facing a young, dynamic opponent. Expect Denver to lose by a high-single-digit margin. OKC will prevail this afternoon and move on to face the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.
Series Prediction: Thunder in seven.
Date and Time: Sunday, May 18, 2025, 3:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: ABC
Streaming: ABC and ESPN apps, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV