The Denver Nuggets had a real chance to take down the eventual NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the postseason this year.

The Nuggets lost a heartbreaking series in Round 2 of the Western Conference playoffs for a second straight season.

And while Game 7 against Oklahoma City wasn’t close, unlike the year before against Minnesota, it was the missed opportunities along the way that burned Denver.

The Nuggets had a 2-1 series lead on the Thunder then had an eight-point fourth quarter lead in Game 4. They couldn’t close it, falling apart and eventually losing the contest 92-87.

Then, in Game 5 back in Oklahoma City, Denver held a nine-point fourth quarter lead. Unfortunately, it was the same story, as the Thunder stormed back to win 112-105.

Rather than close the series in five games, or at least have a 3-2 lead, the Nuggets went down 3-2. They won Game 6 before getting blasted in Game 7.

Even with a depleted and injured roster, the whole NBA world knew that Denver could’ve sent OKC packing. And Thunder guard Lu Dort confirmed as much on NBA Today on ESPN on Wednesday. Check out the clip below.

Lu Dort when they trailed 2-1: “Denver Nuggets was the one that had us shaking a little bit. They won before.”

On Game 4 against the Pacers: “We were a little nervous. I’m gonna be honest but we just knew that we could get it done”
pic.twitter.com/bACfgCakaP

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) July 2, 2025

“I would say Denver Nuggets was the one that had us shaking a little bit. They won before and have been in those type of positions,” Dort said.

Ironically, it was a three-point barrage by Dort in Game 5 that ended up saving Oklahoma City down the stretch. He made three of them to keep the Thunder in the game.

And even though Dort gets cut off by the interviewer, who clearly wants to change the subject to the Pacers in the NBA Finals, it’s obvious he and OKC were most threatened by the Nuggets.

Nothing can change what happened now, but Denver’s had a monster offseason thus far, and they’ll be gunning for playoff revenge against OKC next year.

It’s clear they already have the attention of Dort and the Thunder.