Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Strengthens MVP Case as Thunder Defeat Nuggets

In a 127-103 victory over Denver, Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 40 points and led a decisive fourth-quarter run against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points, marking his third consecutive game with 40+ points and his 40th game this season with at least 30 points.
The Oklahoma City Thunder outscored the Denver Nuggets 41-20 in the fourth quarter to secure their seventh consecutive win and improve to 53-11, leading the Western Conference.
Nikola Jokic, despite coming off a historic 30-20-20 triple-double two days prior, was limited to 24 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists in the loss.
Gilgeous-Alexander added nine points in the final six minutes of the game, leading a 22-7 run that sealed the Thunder's victory.
The two MVP frontrunners, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, will face off again on Monday night in Oklahoma City in the second of their back-to-back matchups.