The Denver Nuggets open their season on the road when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in a rematch of the 2025 second round series that went seven games. The game tips off at 9:30 PM ET and will air on ESPN.

The Nuggets finished last season with a 54-28 record, good enough for the third seed in the West, but lost in six games to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. They are returning all five starters, but have reshaped their bench after some key losses.

The Thunder lost in seven games in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, but got a measure of revenge on Tuesday when they defeated the Spurs on opening night.

This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams and the home opener for the Thunder.

Spencer Jones is QUESTIONABLE with bilateral hamstring injury management. Jones missed the entire preseason. He played in 64 games last season, averaging 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 39% from three. He signed an offer sheet with the Thunder in the offseason, but it was matched by the Nuggets.

Julian Strawther is OUT with a left knee sprain. Strawther missed the entire preseason as well and is expected to be out for a couple of weeks. He averaged 7.2 points, two rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 57 games last season.

The Nuggets will start Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic, which was the starting lineup last season.

DeMar DeRozan, Tyus Jones, Marvin Bagley III, Alpha Diallo, and Spencer Jones, if he plays, are the key players off the bench.

Nikola Topic is OUT after undergoing low back surgery. Drafted in the first round in 2024, Topic has played in just ten career games due to an ACL injury and cancer. He is reportedly day-to-day.

Thomas Sorber is also OUT after undergoing right knee surgery. Drafted in the first round in 2025, he missed all of last season due to ACL surgery and has yet to make his debut in the league. He is also listed as day-to-day.

Thunder second round pick in 2026 Otega Oweh is OUT for the season after undergoing right Achilles tendon surgery.

The Thunder will start reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein.

Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, Aday Mara, Alex Caruso, Jaylin Williams, and Kenrich Williams are their top bench players.