Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder previous Nuggets, fellow MVP candidate Nikola Jokić with 40-point recreation

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder received the primary of 2 immediately video games in opposition to Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. (Joshua Gateley/Getty Pictures)The Oklahoma Town Thunder struck first Sunday within the first of a two-game sequence between the West’s most sensible two groups and the NBA’s main MVP applicants.The Thunder rode a 9-0 fourth-quarter to open up an in depth recreation, then held off the Denver Nuggets for a 127-103 win. Oklahoma Town outscored Denver through 21 issues the fourth quarter of what was once in the past a back-and-fort recreation between the Western Convention contenders.Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander completed with 40 issues, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks to guide the Thunder effort. He scored seven immediately issues in a 1:20 span overdue within the fourth quarter to squash any hope of a Nuggets rally.The 40-point recreation was once the eleventh of the season for Gilgeous-Alexander, who is searching for his first MVP trophy whilst main the Western Convention-leading Thunder. He post the massive numbers within the first recreation since Nikola Jokić ‘s historical 31-point, 22-assist, 21-rebound effort in opposition to the Suns Friday night time that was once the primary 30-20-20 recreation in NBA historical past.That recreation reasserted Jokić’s position within the MVP dialog as he seeks the fourth MVP trophy of his occupation. Jokić had every other sturdy effort with 24 issues, 13 rebounds an 9 assists on Sunday. However he struggled along with his shot after showing to tweak his elbow within the first quarter as Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder were given the most productive of his Nuggets.The 2 groups will meet once more in Oklahoma Town Monday night time.