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OKLAHOMA CITY — Inside the Paycom Center on Sunday, the familiar and unwavering chant of “M-V-P!” reverberated every time Shai Gilgeous-Alexander approached the free throw line. While it’s clear this was directed at him, perhaps it also served as a reminder for Nikola Jokić.
In the ongoing race for the award, at least for now, Gilgeous-Alexander seems to be in the lead. One player showcased his trademark shooting ability with a flurry of jump shots, while the other struggled with a previously injured elbow.
Is this the conclusion? Gilgeous-Alexander certainly played the role of a Kia MVP, rising to the occasion and surpassing 40 points for the third consecutive game (his 40th game of the season with at least 30 points). His efforts helped the Thunder achieve another win, pushing their record to an impressive 52-11, making them nearly unstoppable as the top seed in the Western Conference.
Conversely, Jokić was hindered by a re-injured right elbow that affected his shooting performance, robbing the Nuggets of any chance to make this matchup competitive.
Here are five insights from the Thunder’s commanding 127-103 victory and how it impacted the Kia MVP race:
Just two days earlier, Jokić had an extraordinary game, recording a historic 30-20-20 performance in points, rebounds, and assists. This display underscored his season and set the stage for an intriguing back-to-back matchup against OKC.
Initially, everything seemed to be going well for Jokić, who started off strong until a late first-quarter foul by Isaiah Hartenstein sent him crashing onto his previously injured elbow.
From that point on, Jokić was off his game, struggling with his shooting, missing seven straight three-point attempts along with free throws. Despite being a 57% shooter, he managed only 10 of 23 from the field and notably, just 2 of 6 from the charity stripe. Everyone recognized that his elbow was a problem, except for Jokić himself.
“It’s sore, but it’s fine,” he remarked, brushing off any excuses.
While he might have been able to manage limitations against weaker opponents, the Thunder showed no mercy. Team president Sam Presti built this roster, in part, with the intent to challenge a formidable player like the three-time MVP.
Hartenstein, known for his rebounding and low-post defense, was signed with Jokić in mind. Alongside him, Chet Holmgren and Jaylen Williams — both standing seven feet tall — made things challenging for the Nuggets by forcing Jokić out of his comfort zone.
“We have that advantage,” remarked OKC coach Mark Daigneault. “We were able to throw various players at him. It was truly a team effort on defense.”
Without a reliable backup, Jokić is compelled to play substantial minutes while trying to avoid foul trouble, a challenge compounded on Sunday…
Against a tall team, the Nuggets need forward Aaron Gordon’s physical presence, particularly on defense, to lighten Jokić’s burden.
However, that plan fell apart just seven minutes into the game when Gordon exited due to right calf tightness, which has added to the extensive list of injuries this season.
The Nuggets’ inconsistent defense this season can often be traced back to Gordon’s absences. He has participated in just 37 of 64 games, forcing the Nuggets to scramble for replacements to cover top scorers and rebounders in his absence.
With a rematch against OKC looming on Monday, Gordon may miss yet another game or be limited if he does play. His absence causes a ripple effect — Zeke Nnaji steps into a larger role, and Jokić often finds himself needing to double team in the paint, leaving his assigned player unguarded.
Ultimately, without Gordon, the Nuggets’ defense grows increasingly fragile; they are allowing the second-most points among the top 10 teams in the Western Conference standings.
Now, addressing the heart of the matter: Gilgeous-Alexander continues to bolster his MVP candidacy while reinforcing the idea that OKC is the formidable team to beat.
He scored 40 points in just 35 minutes, supplemented by eight rebounds, five assists, and three blocks — one of which was against Jokić. Time and again, Gilgeous-Alexander made his mark on both ends of the court.
What stands out is how he scores naturally within the flow of the game. He rarely forces his shots, instead seeking his sweet spots and capitalizing on what the Nuggets’ defense presented.
Gilgeous-Alexander has now tallied 20 or more points in 58 straight games. His consistency and efficiency have made him the league’s scoring leader.
Even Jokić acknowledged his excellence.
“He doesn’t complicate things,” he noted. “He knows what needs to be done. He’s leading the team effectively.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a standout with 40 points in Sunday’s victory against Denver.
The Nuggets find themselves in a tight race for second place in the West, an appearance that seems respectable, but the reality tells a different story.
OKC holds a commanding 12-game lead over the Nuggets and Lakers, which feels even larger. This perception is due to the Thunder’s MVP frontrunner (according to the latest Kia MVP Ladder), their strong defensive play, the ability to win games without Gilgeous-Alexander, and the presence of another All-Star in Williams.
All of this was on full display during their effortless 24-point triumph over a supposed contender. The Oklahoma City team can afford to rest Gilgeous-Alexander more frequently than the Nuggets can Jokić, thanks to Williams (who scored 26 points, along with nine rebounds and eight assists) stepping into the primary role, supported by a deep bench. This depth makes OKC resilient to slumps—if two or three players underperform, there is always someone ready to step up.
Moreover, even when there are missteps, like Lu Dort missing a breakaway dunk, luck seems to be on their side; the loose ball ended up back with Dort for a three-pointer. Sometimes, fortune just shines through.
Frequently this season, either Michael Porter Jr. or Jamal Murray — or both — have been conspicuously absent in terms of impact. This inconsistency places additional pressure on Jokić, who has yet to have a prime-aged teammate named to the All-Star Game or the All-Defensive Team.
Porter had moments of effectiveness on Sunday (24 points, 15 rebounds), though Murray struggled (missing 11 of 17 shots). With Gordon sidelined after just one quarter, their contributions—or lack thereof—become even more significant.
There were instances where Murray found himself outperformed by Dort in what became a competition for the title of the second-best Canadian on the court. That’s Murray, who once won a championship and secured a max contract last summer, against Dort, who went undrafted.
So what’s the situation for Denver? Jokić has just hours to heal from his sore elbow ahead of the next game, potentially without Gordon by his side.
As exceptional as he has been this season, he cannot secure the MVP title alone. His teammates will need to step up for him — if that’s even a possibility after Sunday’s performance.
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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for over 25 years. For inquiries, you can reach him via email, check out his archive, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its clubs, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
