Nikola Jokic isn’t bothered by all the hype surrounding the Oklahoma City Thunder. When asked about OKC being considered heavy favorites to win the championship, the Nuggets star playfully said he’s fine flying under the radar and hopes his team can be the “dark horse” in the title race.
“Nikola Jokic today on OKC Thunder being considered heavy favorites to win the championship this year: ‘Hopefully we can be the silent — how do you say it? — the silent knight. Silent horse. Dark horse,'” wrote Bennett Durando on X.
It’s no surprise that the Thunder are championship favorites to start this season. They had a historic campaign in 2024-25, going 68-14 as the best team in the league. They finished with a +12.9 point differential before starting the playoffs and winning their first championship in franchise history. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, they have a solid core of stars and a deep supporting cast that can compete with the best of them.
With their roster still young and talented, the Thunder are only expected to get better going forward and most experts have them penciled in to make the Finals in 2026. Of course, as one of the teams that lost to OKC, the Nuggets know first-hand how tough they are to beat and what it will take to finally bring them down.
More than anything, the play of Nikola Jokic will determine the Nuggets’ success this season. After averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game on 57.6% shooting in 2024-25, Jokic proved that he’s still in his peak and he has big expectations for his team. With Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Cam Johnson, he believes the Nuggets can win the championship again but that will likely require getting through the Thunder.
Back in May, the two teams clashed in the West Semifinals and it was a very close and hard-fought series. The matchup went to seven games, with Jokic averaging 28.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. Ultimately, the Thunder went on to win the series en route to their first-ever title run but the Nuggets gave them their toughest challenge and are likely to be a major obstacle again next postseason.
That’s not to mention new roster additions such as Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Jonas Valanciunas, and Tim Hardaway Jr. Between those upgrades and Jokic’s presence, the Nuggets are primed for another competitive season but how far they actually get remains to be seen.
Besides the Thunder and Nuggets, teams like the Timberwolves, Lakers, Clippers, and Rockets will all be competing for the title and it leaves a thin margin for error at the top. For Jokic, the key to a Nuggets victory is avoiding distractions and working together to achieve their maximum potential. As a dark horse title candidate, the Nuggets can do it all under the radar, avoiding the spotlight until the last possible moment.
The Nuggets aren’t the favorites anymore, but that might be just how Nikola Jokic likes it. He’s proven time and again that he doesn’t need headlines or hype to dominate. As long as Denver stays healthy and focused, they have the talent and experience to crash the Thunder’s coronation and reclaim their spot at the top of the NBA mountain.
