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Shaquille O'Neal Makes Clear Pick Between Nuggets and Thunder

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated May 3, 2025 11:22 PM ET

The Denver Nuggets are officially moving on to the second round of the NBA playoffs after blowing out the Los Angeles Clippers in their do-or-die Game 7 on Saturday night. However, the road to the championship is only going to get tougher, as they face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder next.

Oklahoma City finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA (68-14), and the team heads to the Western Conference semifinals with plenty of rest after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.

Not to mention that the Thunder have MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way. SGA averaged 27.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks—all while shooting 40.2 percent from the field against Memphis.

Despite the clear threat posed by the Thunder, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is favoring the Nuggets to win the series and advance to the West finale.

During Saturday's broadcast of "Inside the NBA," the Los Angeles Lakers legend explained why he's "leaning towards Denver."

"I like to see Russ get a championship," O'Neal said, referring to Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook. "And Joker being part of the big man elites."

Of course, O'Neal is aware that it will be difficult for Nikola Jokic and company to beat the Thunder, but he emphasized that "in order to be the best, you have to beat the best."

Shaq's taking Denver, while Chuck's rockin' with OKC in the second round pic.twitter.com/mBL8zjQH0s
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 4, 2025

It remains to be seen whether the Nuggets can live up to Shaquille O'Neal's expectations; however, there's no denying that their series with the Thunder will be an interesting one.

The Nuggets and Thunder faced four times during the 2024-25 season, and they split their series 2-2. In their last showdown last March 10, Jokic even exploded for 35 points to help Denver secure a 140-127 victory.

Game 1 of the Nuggets-Thunder second-round series starts on Monday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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