Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Nikola Jokic showdown finally arrived, and there was only one winner
The long-awaited duel between Shai and Jokic delivered fireworks, with Oklahoma City making a bold statement in Denver.
It took longer than expected, but the wait is finally over. The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder, widely viewed as two of the top NBA title contenders, met for the first time this regular season on Sunday night in Denver.
After nearly three months of basketball and roughly 50 games into the season, the Western Conference heavyweights finally went head to head. When it was over, Oklahoma City made its message clear.
The defending champions walked into Ball Arena and took control.
Thunder make a statement in Denver
The Thunder pulled away for a convincing 121-111 road win, flashing stretches of elite shot-making and defensive control against a Nuggets team still searching for rhythm. Denver continues to feel the absence of Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic has yet to look like his usual MVP-caliber self.
This was Oklahoma City at its sharpest. Calm, confident, and ruthless when the moment arrived.
Jokic still shaking off rust
Jokic is still working his way back after injury, and it showed. This was just his second game after missing 15 straight, and the Serbian star never found his usual dominance.
He finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, solid numbers by most standards but well below his typical impact. Jamal Murray also struggled to provide support, scoring just 12 points.
Peyton Watson was Denver’s bright spot, leading the team with 29 points while knocking down 5 of 7 shots from beyond the arc.
Shai sets the tempo for OKC
On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander controlled the night. The Thunder guard was the engine of the offense, pouring in 34 points and dictating the pace from start to finish.
Oklahoma City never trailed and delivered the knockout blow in a dominant third quarter. The Thunder caught fire from deep, hitting 8 of 13 three-pointers in the period.
That shooting surge turned a seven-point halftime lead, 62-55, into a commanding 16-point advantage, 101-85, heading into the fourth quarter.
Denver never recovered.
For a Thunder team with championship ambitions, this was more than just a road win. It was a statement.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
|
11
Bruce Brown
|
|
10
Tim Hardaway Jr.
|
|
14
DaRon Holmes II
|
|
15
Nikola Jokić
|
|
21
Spencer Jones
|
|
27
Jamal Murray
|
|
22
Zeke Nnaji
|
|
24
Jalen Pickett
|
|
3
Julian Strawther
|
|
5
Hunter Tyson
|
|
17
Jonas Valančiūnas
|
|
8
Peyton Watson
|
| Min | Pts | TR | OR | DR | Ast | Los | Rec | Blk | S1 | S2 | S3 | RF | CF | Val | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11
Bruce Brown
|
21 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3/4 | 0/2 | 2/4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
|
10
Tim Hardaway Jr.
|
25 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3/4 | 0/2 | 0/4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
|
14
DaRon Holmes II
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
15
Nikola Jokić
|
29 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3/4 | 5/7 | 1/2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
|
21
Spencer Jones
|
27 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 2/2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
|
27
Jamal Murray
|
35 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3/4 | 3/8 | 1/8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
|
22
Zeke Nnaji
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
|
24
Jalen Pickett
|
18 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 2/2 | 1/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
3
Julian Strawther
|
22 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 2/4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
5
Hunter Tyson
|
3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/2 | 0/0 | 1/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
17
Jonas Valančiūnas
|
13 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0/0 | 5/9 | 1/2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
|
8
Peyton Watson
|
37 | 29 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2/4 | 6/10 | 5/7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
|
23
Brooks Barnhizer
|
|
13
Ousmane Dieng
|
|
5
Luguentz Dort
|
|
2
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
|
|
55
Isaiah Hartenstein
|
|
7
Chet Holmgren
|
|
11
Isaiah Joe
|
|
22
Cason Wallace
|
|
21
Aaron Wiggins
|
|
6
Jaylin Williams
|
|
34
Kenrich Williams
|
| Min | Pts | TR | OR | DR | Ast | Los | Rec | Blk | S1 | S2 | S3 | RF | CF | Val | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
23
Brooks Barnhizer
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
|
13
Ousmane Dieng
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/1 | 0/2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
5
Luguentz Dort
|
32 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/3 | 2/6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
|
2
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
|
33 | 34 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11/13 | 10/14 | 1/2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
|
55
Isaiah Hartenstein
|
21 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0/0 | 2/4 | 0/0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
|
7
Chet Holmgren
|
28 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7/8 | 2/3 | 1/7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
|
11
Isaiah Joe
|
22 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 3/9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
|
22
Cason Wallace
|
29 | 27 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 7/11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
|
21
Aaron Wiggins
|
25 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1/2 | 2/3 | 3/6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
|
6
Jaylin Williams
|
24 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0/0 | 1/2 | 2/3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
|
34
Kenrich Williams
|
17 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1/1 | 2/4 | 0/2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |