Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Hits Game-Winner to Lift Thunder Over Nuggets

Thunder star's late-game heroics fuel MVP hype in thrilling win over Nikola Jokić's Nuggets.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a clutch game-winning shot in the final seconds to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 129-126 victory over the Denver Nuggets in a back-and-forth battle between the Western Conference rivals. Gilgeous-Alexander's heroics, which included a pair of late-game daggers, sent the NBA world into a frenzy and further fueled his case for a second straight MVP award.

Why it matters

The Thunder-Nuggets matchup has emerged as one of the most compelling rivalries in the NBA, with the two teams battling for Western Conference supremacy. Gilgeous-Alexander's performance in the latest installment, which included him tying an NBA record, could be a defining moment in the heated MVP race between him and Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić.

The details

Trailing by seven points in the final minute, the Nuggets mounted a furious comeback, capped by a Jokić 3-pointer and an unconventional four-point play to tie the game at 126-126. But Gilgeous-Alexander had the last laugh, draining a contested step-back 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds left to give the Thunder the win. The victory improved Oklahoma City to 3-0 against Denver this season.

  • The game was played on Monday, March 10, 2026.
  • Gilgeous-Alexander hit the game-winning shot with just 2.7 seconds remaining on the clock.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder star and reigning NBA MVP, who is making a strong case for a second consecutive award with his late-game heroics against the Nuggets.

Nikola Jokić

The Denver Nuggets' superstar center and three-time MVP, who put up a valiant effort in the loss, including a clutch 3-pointer and an unconventional four-point play to tie the game late.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“SGA is an assassin”

— Kevin O'Connor, Analyst (Twitter)

“That was an amazing game. SGA, my lord what a shot (again!)”

— Jon Krawczynski, Writer (The Athletic)

“SGA. Wow. What a killer. That was an incredible performance.”

— Ryan Blackburn, Nuggets Analyst (Twitter)

“SGA is the MVP. No debate.”

— Brandon Rahbar, Thunder Writer (Twitter)

“Shai is UN F'ing real. Nuggets, why even let him touch it? Any1 else, but him.”

— Shannon Sharpe (Twitter)

What’s next

The Thunder and Nuggets are expected to meet again in the playoffs, potentially setting the stage for another thrilling showdown between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić with major postseason implications.

The takeaway

Gilgeous-Alexander's clutch performance against the Nuggets, including his game-winning shot, has cemented his status as a legitimate MVP candidate and one of the NBA's premier closers. The Thunder-Nuggets rivalry continues to be must-watch television, with the two teams potentially on a collision course for a high-stakes playoff rematch.