Nuggets-Thunder Game 6 preview: Denver has to protect home court to extend season

The Denver Nuggets are fighting for their playoff lives in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here's everything you need to know about the elimination game -- including matchups, odds, lineups and more

BY TRENT FINNEGAN

May 15, 2025, 9:25 AM Updated: Jun 30, 2026, 12:49 pm

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It’s do-or-die for the Denver Nuggets, who find themselves back at Ball Arena facing a 3-2 deficit in the Western Conference Semifinals. Since taking a 2-1 lead in a thrilling overtime victory in Game 3, the Nuggets have gone ice cold from the floor, most notably in the fourth quarter of each game, to hand the lead right back to the No. 1 seed Thunder.

The fourth quarter has been the issue for Denver, as the Nuggets have held onto a lead in the final frame of each game before letting the Thunder swoop back in and steal victory. In Game 5, Lu Dort made three consecutive 3-pointers for Oklahoma City to erase a nine-point deficit, while no one outside of Nikola Jokic could make a shot on the other side for Denver, and that was the difference in the game.

While Jokic was able to escape his shooting slump with 44 points on 17-for-25 shooting, Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook continued their struggles as they contributed next-to-nothing from a scoring perspective. They will get open looks again, just like they did in Tuesday’s loss, and need to capitalize to keep Denver’s season alive.

For an in-depth analysis of the series, read here.

How to watch Game 6 of Nuggets-Thunder

Game 6 from Ball Arena in Denver will be broadcast on ESPN with the opening tip scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Denver time.

Odds for Game 6 of Nuggets-Thunder

Spread/Total: Nuggets +4.5, 217.5

Moneyline: Nuggets +160, Thunder -190

Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double: +200

Once again, Jokic’s odds to record a triple double are the longest they’ve been in the postseason as his assist numbers are way down this series at 5.2 per game. In Game 5, Jokic only finished with five assists, but had 20 potential assists as his teammates were not able to finish the job time and time again.

The spread is the closest it’s been all series, with the other two games in Denver seeing the Nuggets as 6.5-point underdogs. Jokic and the Nuggets have covered the spread in four of the five games so far this series, with the Game 2 blowout in OKC being the exception.

Projected starting lineups for Game 6 of Nuggets-Thunder

Nuggets
G: Jamal Murray
G: Christian Braun
F: Michael Porter Jr.
F: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Jokic

Thunder
G: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
G: Lugentz Dort
F: Jalen Williams
F: Chet Holmgren
C: Isaiah Hartenstein

Injury notes/report for Game 6 of Nuggets-Thunder

Nuggets
Michael Porter Jr. still continues to battle the shoulder sprain he suffered in the opening round, but is not listed on the injury report. The injury has been bothering him all series long, as he has played poorly in four of the five games, but the Nuggets need him to at least contribute from outside the arc and fight through the pain.

Hunter Tyson, despite not playing any non-garbage time minutes, is listed as out with an ankle injury he suffered before Game 4.

As always, DaRon Holmes II is listed on Denver’s injury report, as the rookie is still rehabbing the Achilles tendon he tore back in the NBA Summer League.

Thunder
The Thunder injury report is about as clean as can be. The only player who is out for the No. 1 seed is Nikola Topic, who is rehabbing from a torn ACL.

Referees for Game 6 of Nuggets-Thunder

Crew Chief: Marc Davis (#8)
Referee: Kevin Scott (#24)
Umpire: Mitchell Ervin (#27)
Alternate: Sean Corbin (#33)
Replay Center: Tony Brothers

What to watch for in Game 6 of Nuggets-Thunder

Who’s going to show up to help Nikola Jokic with their backs against the wall? Jamal Murray has yet to have a game, Christian Braun couldn’t find his shot in Tuesday’s loss, and Michael Porter Jr. has looked lost out there all series except for Game 3. Murray and Porter are both being paid max contracts, while Braun is seeking a contract that’s just shy of $100 million. Denver is paying these guys to step up in the postseason, and Thursday is the time to do so.

Those three combined to shoot 5-for-26 from distance in Game 5 in a very inefficient showing as they couldn’t do anything to help out the three-time MVP down the stretch. The Nuggets’ runs to at least the Conference Finals in 2020 and 2023 showed that in order for them to win big time games, they need help from Murray and Co. alongside Jokic.

Jokic got his teammates 23 “wide open” looks and 20 “open” looks in Game 5. If the supporting cast can’t convert on those opportunities, the next team flight will be heading to the beach.