Through 25 games played in their title defense campaign, it seems that the OKC Thunder are virtually unbeatable.

Such a sentiment is resoundingly supported by the fact that they are tied for the best start to a season through this span at 24-1, lead the league in both defensive and net rating, and, perhaps most impressive, boast a historic point differential of +17.5.

With their scorching hot play coupled with their far and away top-billed odds of taking home the 2026 Larry O’Brien Trophy, it seems that Oklahoma City’s claim to becoming the first repeat champion since the 2018 Warriors is all but locked in.

That is, unless the Denver Nuggets have anything to say about this.

Nuggets viewed as only real threat to Thunder repeat

During a recent edition of The Zach Lowe Show, the eponymous host was found boasting about how he believes this Thunder team is destined to eclipse the 70-win mark this season and that he’s giving them “over a 50 percent chance of the championship pie.”

However, while he did make sure to note that he’d take OKC over the field in any betting situation, the only team he would remotely consider a serious threat to their repeat aspirations is Denver.

“At this point, Denver is the only team I can see beating the Thunder four times in seven games,” Lowe said.

Frankly, this take shouldn’t be viewed as all that hot. In fact, in many ways, it’s merely a reminder of something Thunder fans have been feeling all throughout the summer and, now, into these early stages of 2025-26.

Let’s not forget that, just last year, the Nuggets managed to take Oklahoma City to seven games, and, had it not been for a grueling hamstring injury to Aaron Gordon, there’s a chance they could have realistically toppled the eventual champs.

Now, Denver not only has a healthy core intact, but they also were able to get even stronger from a roster makeup standpoint this past offseason, what with the key additions of Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, and Tim Hardaway Jr.

It’s no surprise that this newly renovated Nuggets squad resides in the second seed in the Western Conference with a record of 18-6 and is considered the second-most likely team to run the postseason gauntlet at +800.

So while OKC may be the heavy favorites to win it all come season’s end, Lowe, the odds-makers, and the rest of Thunder nation are well aware that Denver is a team worth keeping an eye out for.