Nuggets and Thunder Shine in NBA Showdown

Crowd cheering during Denver Nuggets home opener basketball game

Denver, October 26, 2025

News Summary

In a thrilling NBA night, the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder showcased their talents. The Nuggets excelled at the free-throw line during their home opener against the Phoenix Suns, executing a stunning 36-of-40. Nikola Jokić achieved a triple-double, while the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren led a victorious game against the Atlanta Hawks with a remarkable scoring performance. The season unfolds as teams look to gain momentum post-All-Star break, promising exciting outcomes for fans and players alike.

Denver witnessed a thrilling night of NBA action as the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder delivered standout performances against their respective foes. The Nuggets showcased their dominance from the free-throw line in their home opener, while the Thunder continued their unbeaten streak with a significant victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

In the Nuggets’ match against the Phoenix Suns, they obtained a remarkable edge, shooting 36-of-40 from the free-throw line, while the Suns trailed with 18-of-22. Nikola Jokić had another stellar performance, finishing with a triple-double—14 points, 14 rebounds, and 15 assists—with added defensive contributions of three steals. Supporting Jokić, Jamal Murray scored 23 points alongside six rebounds and five assists. Overall, all five starters for the Nuggets scored between 12 and 20 points, highlighting their balanced attack.

On the other end of the court, Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points, contributing three rebounds and seven assists, but it was not enough to clinch victory.

The Thunder had their share of excitement, defeating the Atlanta Hawks while managing to maintain a double-digit lead throughout the game. Chet Holmgren emerged as a star with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals. His teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also had an impressive outing, netting 30 points while shooting 20-of-29 from the field, solidifying his status as a key player this season.

The Memphis Grizzlies also shined, defeating the Indiana Pacers by a considerable margin. They won all four quarters of the match, with a commanding second-half performance that saw them outscore the Pacers 68-51. Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 26 points, while Cedric Coward had a career-high 27 points alongside six rebounds and four assists for Memphis.

In other notable games, the Philadelphia 76ers secured a win highlighted by Quentin Grimes‘ game-winning shot late in their match, where he led the bench with 24 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Starter Tyrese Maxey also made significant contributions with 28 points, while Joel Embiid added 20 points to the 76ers’ total against their opponent.

The Chicago Bulls achieved victory against the Orlando Magic, outscoring them 27-18 in the fourth quarter and limiting the Magic to just 39% shooting from the field. Josh Giddey led the Bulls with 21 points, alongside Paolo Banchero‘s 24 points and ten rebounds in the loss for Orlando.

As the season progresses, teams are looking to bounce back from the recent All-Star break, and fans are eager to see how these thrilling matchups will impact the standings in the NBA.

Key Player Highlights:

  • Nikola Jokić: 14 points, 14 rebounds, 15 assists, 3 steals (Nuggets)
  • Jamal Murray: 23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists (Nuggets)
  • Devin Booker: 31 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists (Suns)
  • Chet Holmgren: 31 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals (Thunder)
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 30 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists (Thunder)
  • Bennedict Mathurin: 26 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists (Pacers)
  • Cedric Coward: 27 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists (Grizzlies)
  • Tyrese Maxey: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists (76ers)

FAQ

What teams played on the busy NBA Saturday night?

The teams that played included the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Chicago Bulls against the Orlando Magic.

Who were the standout players from the games?

Standout players included Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray from the Nuggets, Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Thunder, and Tyrese Maxey from the 76ers, among others.

What was the performance of the Nuggets in their home opener?

The Nuggets performed excellently, shooting 36-of-40 from the free-throw line and having all five starters score between 12 and 20 points.

Statistical Overview

Team Result Top Scorer Points
Denver Nuggets Win Nikola Jokić 14
Phoenix Suns Loss Devin Booker 31
Oklahoma City Thunder Win Chet Holmgren 31
Indiana Pacers Loss Bennedict Mathurin 26
Philadelphia 76ers Win Tyrese Maxey 28
Chicago Bulls Win Josh Giddey 21

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Houston Rockets Transforming into Championship Contenders
Top NBA Players in the Western Conference Unveiled
Alperen Sengun’s Standout Season with the Houston Rockets

Additional Resources

STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER

The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

ADD MORE INFORMATION OR CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ARTICLE CLICK HERE!
Advertising Opportunity:

Stay Connected

More Updates

Would You Like To Add Your Business?

Sign Up Now and get your local business listed!