The Oklahoma City Thunder have been steamrolling their way through the early stages of the 2025-26 NBA season. At 26-4, they’ve looked every bit like the defending champs, blending elite defense with a fast-paced, unselfish offense that’s become their trademark. But even juggernauts have their kryptonite - and for OKC, that kryptonite wears silver and black.
The San Antonio Spurs, a team that didn’t even sniff the Play-In last season, have now handed the Thunder two of their four losses. That includes a statement win in the NBA Cup semifinals and, most recently, a 130-110 blowout on their home floor at Frost Bank Center. That’s not just a win - that’s a message.
The Spurs didn’t just outplay the Thunder - they outclassed them. From tip-off to final buzzer, San Antonio controlled the tempo, moved the ball with purpose, and made OKC look mortal.
For a franchise that’s been in rebuilding mode for years, this kind of leap is eye-opening. It’s been six seasons since the Spurs last reached the playoffs, but if this recent stretch is any indication, that drought might be ending in emphatic fashion.
Kendrick Perkins, never one to shy away from bold takes, didn’t hold back on ESPN’s Get Up: “I think the Spurs are legit contenders.” That’s a big statement for a team that was on the outside looking in just a year ago.
But the results speak for themselves - San Antonio isn’t just beating good teams, they’re beating the best team in the league. Twice.
Still, Perkins didn’t let the Spurs hype overshadow another Western Conference powerhouse - one that’s lurking just behind the headlines: the Denver Nuggets.
“The biggest threat is still the Denver Nuggets,” Perkins said, and it’s hard to argue. Denver might not be grabbing the same headlines as OKC or San Antonio right now, but they’ve quietly built a 21-8 record, despite missing key players like Aaron Gordon for stretches. That’s the mark of a team with championship DNA - they keep winning, even when the roster isn’t at full strength.
At the center of it all, of course, is Nikola Jokic. The two-time MVP is doing MVP things once again, averaging 28.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 10.9 assists per game.
Yes, you read that right - Jokic is nearly averaging a triple-double and leading the league in both rebounds and assists. It’s the kind of all-around dominance that’s become routine for him, which is wild when you think about it.
Then there’s Jamal Murray, who’s playing the best basketball of his career. He’s putting up 25.1 points and 6.9 assists per night - numbers that have him firmly in the All-Star conversation for the first time. His chemistry with Jokic is as sharp as ever, and when those two are locked in, Denver becomes a nightmare matchup for anyone.
Let’s not forget how close Denver came to knocking off OKC in last year’s playoffs. That second-round series went the full seven games, and it was a slugfest from start to finish.
The Thunder ultimately survived, but it was a razor-thin margin - a bounce here, a call there, and it could’ve been Denver advancing instead. That kind of playoff battle builds belief, and the Nuggets haven’t forgotten how close they were.
So while the Spurs are making noise and the Thunder continue to roll, don’t sleep on the Nuggets. They’ve got the experience, the stars, and the system to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the West. And if these teams meet again in the postseason - which feels more likely by the day - we could be in for another classic.