Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to dominate the NBA, but the Oklahoma City Thunder star has a clear message when it comes to personal accolades: they don’t mean much without team success.
“I love MVPs, I love All-Stars… None of it matters if you don’t win,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the Thunder’s 127-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s current scoring leader with 32.8 points per game, is making a strong case for MVP. He also contributes 5.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists, leading the Thunder to a remarkable 53-11 record, the best in the Western Conference and second overall behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On Sunday, the 26-year-old point guard showcased his MVP credentials with a 40-point performance, adding eight assists and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Gilgeous-Alexander helped the Thunder extend their winning streak to seven games, putting Oklahoma City in a commanding position atop the West.
Jalen Williams also had a strong performance with 26 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Chet Holmgren chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds. Despite a rocky start, the Thunder outscored the Nuggets 41-20 in the final quarter, showcasing their dominance.
Nikola Jokic, another MVP frontrunner, posted 24 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists for Denver (41-23). However, the Nuggets struggled in the fourth quarter, where Oklahoma City’s defense stifled their offense.
The game started with a 10-0 run from the Nuggets, but the Thunder quickly bounced back, cutting the deficit to just one point by the end of the first quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 22 points in the first half, giving Oklahoma City a slim 61-60 lead at the break.
The third quarter saw both teams remain tightly contested, with the Thunder holding an 86-83 advantage heading into the final frame. But Oklahoma City took over in the fourth, triggered by a steal from Aaron Wiggins that led to a Chet Holmgren dunk. That play sparked a 12-2 run, pushing the lead past 20 and forcing Denver head coach Michael Malone to call a timeout.
Things only got worse for the Nuggets after Malone was assessed a technical foul. Williams converted the free throw, and the Thunder never looked back, dominating the remainder of the game.
The Nuggets struggled with their shooting, finishing at just 41.2% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc. Jokic’s usual dominance was limited by the defensive efforts of Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Denver also suffered from poor performances from their bench. Russell Westbrook struggled, scoring just four points on 1-of-9 shooting. Jamal Murray added 17 points, but he too was inefficient, shooting 6-of-17.
Oklahoma City’s defense and efficient offense were key to the win, as they forced 12 turnovers while committing only five. They also dominated the rebounding battle, securing 56 boards compared to Denver’s 48.
