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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 9: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts … [+]
Just a few weeks ago, at the NBA All-Star break, Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appeared to be running away with the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2024-25 season. His only real competition for the honor is Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, but even then, Gilgeous-Alexander was a clear frontrunner at that point.
But a pivotal moment occurred earlier this week, as Jokic made history with an unbelievable performance that featured 31 points, 22 assists and 21 rebounds while shooting nearly 60% from the floor. This made him the first player in NBA history to log the first 30-point, 20-rebound and 20-assist game.
This was truly an MVP-level performance that sent shockwaves around the league. It was at that moment that Gilgeous-Alexander’s lead in the MVP race became slightly smaller. It’s not often that a single performance carries that much weight, but this was a truly once in a lifetime type of game from Jokic.
This set the stage for a highly anticipated matchup on Sunday afternoon between the Thunder and Nuggets. Not only was it a battle between the top two teams in the Western Conference, but also a head-to-head dual of Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic. It was the first of two matchups between these squads on back-to-back days on Monday and Tuesday, but the first of the pair was on the heels of Jokic’s superhuman performance.
In what ended up being a 24-point blowout, Oklahoma City got the best of Denver in a game that was much closer for the majority of the contest. Neither MVP candidate had an efficient start to the game, both shooting worse than 40% from the floor in the first half.
The ultimate stage was set in the fourth quarter, as Gilgeous-Alexander checked into the game with 6:48 remaining. By the time he played his first offensive possession in the final frame, the Thunder had just a seven-point lead. Although OKC was in the driver’s seat at that point, it would be up to him to deliver the win.
On that first offensive possession, the Thunder star scored on a stepback midrange jumper, which ultimately sparked a 22-7 run before he checked out with the victory secured. Gilgeous-Alexander scored nine points in less than five minutes of action in the fourth quarter and was a +12 on the box score in that time. Conversely, Jokic finished with a -14 in the fourth quarter with only two points in the final 6:30 of the contest.
This was a signature win for Gilgeous-Alexander and one that boosts his MVP resume. He completely took the game over down the stretch and put Denver away. With each game that he plays in this season, he continues to prove he’s among the best players in the entire world.
These teams will play again on Monday night, as both Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic will look to make a statement. There are several weeks left in the season beyond that as well, but Sunday was a phenomenal performance for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s case to win MVP.
