Kendrick Perkins Names the Denver Nuggets as the Biggest Threat to the OKC Thunder in the 2025-26 NBA Season
On December 24, 2025, during an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, former NBA champion and analyst Kendrick Perkins addressed the surging San Antonio Spurs and their recent dominance over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Spurs had just handed OKC their second loss in a row—first in the NBA Cup semifinals and then a convincing 130-110 victory on December 23—improving their record to 22-7 while the Thunder sat at 26-4, still holding the league’s best mark as defending champions.
Perkins praised the Spurs emphatically: “I think the Spurs are legit contenders.” He highlighted their young core, led by Victor Wembanyama, and noted how they’ve emerged as a serious force in the Western Conference, capable of making deep playoff runs.
However, when pressed on who poses the greatest threat to the Thunder’s repeat aspirations, Perkins was unequivocal: “The biggest threat is still the Denver Nuggets.”
Why the Nuggets, According to Perkins?
Perkins broke down his reasoning by focusing on Denver’s core stability and current form:
- Nikola Jokić is “playing at an MVP level right now, as expected.” The three-time MVP continues to dominate with his unparalleled playmaking, scoring, and rebounding from the center position.
- Jamal Murray is “averaging a career high” in scoring, providing elite shot-creation and clutch performance alongside Jokić.
- The Nuggets as a unit are “just clicking on all cylinders,” with strong chemistry, veteran experience, and coaching under Michael Malone.
At the time, Denver held a 21-8 record, sitting third in the West behind OKC and San Antonio. While they were 0-2 against the Thunder in the regular season so far, Perkins emphasized their proven track record. Notably, the two teams met in the 2025 playoffs’ second round, where Denver pushed OKC to the brink before falling, underscoring their ability to compete at the highest level against the Thunder’s style.
Context: The Thunder’s Dominance and Emerging Challengers
The 2025-26 Oklahoma City Thunder have been historically dominant. Coming off a 2025 NBA Championship (defeating the Indiana Pacers 4-3 in the Finals), they’ve elevated their game further. Led by reigning MVP and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, alongside Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and a deep supporting cast, OKC boasts elite defense, versatile scoring, and unparalleled depth.
Early in the season, Perkins himself hyped the Thunder extravagantly, predicting on the Road Trippin’ podcast that they could finish 80-2 and shatter the Golden State Warriors’ 73-9 regular-season record. Their net rating and win pace supported such bold claims, as they stormed to records like 23-1 and maintained the league’s top spot.
Yet, cracks have shown against specific opponents:
- The Spurs, with Wembanyama’s unicorn-like skills and improved supporting pieces (including Chris Paul), have exposed OKC twice, raising questions about matchup problems in potential playoff series.
- Other West contenders like the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers (earlier in the season Perkins called them a major threat), and Dallas Mavericks have been mentioned in conversations.
Despite the Spurs’ head-to-head success and hype, Perkins refused to crown them the primary obstacle. He views San Antonio as “legit contenders” but believes Denver’s experience, superstar duo, and playoff pedigree give them the edge as the Thunder’s most dangerous foe.
Broader Implications for the Western Conference
This take aligns with a common analyst viewpoint: While young, ascending teams like the Spurs can upset in regular-season matchups or short series, championship-tested squads like the Nuggets often prevail in seven-game grinds. Denver’s core has multiple deep playoff runs, a 2023 title, and the ability to exploit OKC’s relative youth (despite their 2025 ring).
As the season progresses—especially with high-profile games like the Christmas Day matchup between the Spurs and Thunder—Perkins’ declaration adds fuel to the West’s hierarchy debate. If the Nuggets stay healthy and peak in the spring, they could indeed be the team standing between OKC and back-to-back titles.
In summary, while acknowledging the Spurs’ rise, Kendrick Perkins firmly named the Denver Nuggets as the biggest threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025-26 season, citing their MVP-caliber stars and overall synergy as the key differentiators.
Leave a Reply