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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Oklahoma City Thunder News & Analysis > NBA Champion Admits Nikola Jokic, Nuggets Were Thunder’s Biggest Challenge In The Playoffs

NBA Champion Admits Nikola Jokic, Nuggets Were Thunder’s Biggest Challenge In The Playoffs

Isaiah Hartenstein reflects on the OKC Thunder's playoff journey and admits why Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets were their biggest challenge.

Chaitanya Dadhwal
Jul 22, 2025
4 Min Read
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Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The OKC Thunder won their first-ever NBA championship in June 2025. Following the title run, the Thunder came into the media spotlight once again after signing Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to long-term extensions with the team.  

While all eyes were on the Thunder after their championship run, Isaiah Hartenstein, their backup center, appeared on Paul George’s Podcast P and reflected on their championship run this summer. 

After giving Rick Carlisle his flowers for posing a challenge to the Thunder in the Finals, Hartenstein pointed out that they were confident they could beat the Pacers if they stuck to their fundamentals correctly. However, the biggest challenge for the team were Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, claims Hartenstein.

“I think the only series where we were kind of a little bit on the ropes was Denver. I think Denver was the only series where– I mean that, just Jokic. I mean, the way they play, they’ve been there before, and that was probably the only series where we were like ‘even if we do everything right, they probably still have a chance.’ Every other series, we were like, if we do the right things, we’re good.”

Later on in the interview, Hartenstein also reveals what he learned from Jokic in his experience playing against him. 

“I think just his passing. I think I learned a lot. I mean, I could always pass before, but just the little details of kind of looking off guys with your eyes, if a defender is not looking at you, you can kind of still throw it in front and they can still catch the ball.

“So, just like little details, where I was a good passer, but it kind of took me to another level where I see the game differently, and I know how to manipulate the game to in kind of my benefit in that aspect. But he’s so smart in the game. I mean, his IQ is off the charts.” 

“Even playing against him in the playoffs, it felt like he was coaching like he’s the coach on the court. I mean, he’ll tell people where to go. He’ll tell what kind of players what to do. And so, he’s just his IQ is off the charts.”

Nikola Jokic averaged 28.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in the series against the Thunder as he battled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s team with a chip on his shoulder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was leading the race at the time over the three-time MVP to another deserved win of the Michael Jordan regular season MVP award. 

Jokic was coming off a season where he became just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire NBA season. If not for injuries to Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr, maybe the Joker would have gotten his revenge on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for taking his award. 

Do you think a healthy Nuggets roster from last season beats the Thunder in a series of seven games? Let us know what you think in the comments section. 

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TAGGED:Denver Nuggets ArchiveIsaiah HartensteinNikola JokicOklahoma City Thunder Archive
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ByChaitanya Dadhwal
Chaitanya Dadhwal is an NBA Analyst and Columnist at Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. He fell in love with basketball in 2018 after seeing James Harden in his prime. He joined the sports journalism world in 2021, one year before finishing his law school in 2022. He attended Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat, India, where his favorite subject was also Sports Law.He transitioned from law to journalism after realizing his true passion for sports and basketball in particular. Even though his journalism is driven by his desire to understand both sides of an argument and give a neutral perspective, he openly admits he is biased towards the Houston Rockets and Arsenal. But that intersection of in-depth analysis and passion helps him simplify the fine print and complex language for his readers.His goal in life is to open his own sports management agency one day and represent athletes. He wants to ensure he can help bridge the gap in equal opportunity for athletes across various sports and different genders playing the same sport.
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