By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The two biggest MVP candidates, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, faced off twice in three days. The first meeting went to the Canadian guard, but the Serbian center had the final say.
Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a 140-127 road win over Oklahoma City, delivering yet another dominant performance.
Playing nearly 40 minutes, Jokic took 20 shots from the field and connected on 15 of them, finishing the game with 35 points, 18 rebounds, and just two assists shy of another impressive triple-double.
Serbian center had an elbow issue after the first game but still decided to play.
“I went to him after the game yesterday and told him to sit out tomorrow’s game. He was like, ‘Hell no, c’mon man, coach, I’m playing. Am I tired? Sure, everybody’s tired. Am I beat up? Everybody’s beat up. I want to play,’” Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said.
With this win, Denver evened the season series with the Western Conference leaders at 2-2, while also limiting SGA to 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Isaiah Joe was one of OKC’s bright spots, contributing 20 points and seven rebounds.