Nuggets lose to OKC by 32 points: What’s the biggest blowout Nikola Jokic suffered in the NBA playoffs?

The Denver Nuggets lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder by a resounding 32-point margin. Their offense looked flat throughout the game. Nikola Jokic once again stood alone as the team’s only reliable scorer. He was the only player to score more than 19 points. The rest of the roster failed to make a meaningful impact. Because of this heavy defeat, many fans began to wonder if this was Jokic’s worst playoff loss ever.

The margin was shocking, but it was not the biggest playoff loss for Nikola Jokic. On May 16, 2024, the Nuggets fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves by 45 points in the conference semifinals. That remains their largest postseason defeat during Jokic’s tenure. In addition, they lost by 43 points to the Oklahoma City Thunder on May 7, 2025. That game also came during the playoffs and now stands as Nikola’s second-worst postseason loss.

Although fans expected to see the Nuggets reach the conference finals, David Adelman did an impressive job as interim head coach. He took over the team shortly after the playoffs began and quickly provided stability. Even with the sudden change, he kept the group competitive and focused.

As a result, Denver went head-to-head with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s solid project. Adelman pushed them to the limit and forced a decisive Game 7. Because of that, fans expect the front office to keep David in charge getting him a more competitive roster. However, Denver just came out of the postseason. For that reason, the franchise has not shared any updates on their 2025–26 NBA season plans.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts to drive past Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Paycom Center on March 9, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

For many fans, this game carried implications beyond a trip to the conference finals. Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the clear MVP award frontrunners. Therefore, the Thunder’s win, driven by another brilliant performance from Shai, could shift momentum in his favor as voting approaches.

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However, Jokic continues to make a strong case. During the conference semifinals, the Nuggets star averaged 29.8 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists over seven games. In comparison, Shai posted 28.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. Despite the Thunder’s win, Jokic’s numbers remain elite and difficult to ignore.

Still, the race is not over yet. The season’s two most decisive stages are still ahead: the conference finals and the NBA Finals. Consequently, Gilgeous-Alexander must prove he can deliver in those moments if he wants to solidify his MVP case.