Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Hits Game-Winner vs. Nikola Jokić's Nuggets

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In a battle between the NBA's top two MVP candidates, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a game-winning three-pointer with 8.5 seconds left to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 129-126 victory over Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets. The win was the Thunder's third over the Nuggets this season, further bolstering Gilgeous-Alexander's case for the MVP award.

Why it matters

The matchup between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić was highly anticipated, as the two superstars have emerged as the frontrunners for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award. Gilgeous-Alexander's heroics in the clutch could be a defining moment in the MVP race, as the Thunder have now taken all three meetings with the Nuggets this season.

The details

With the game tied at 126-126, Gilgeous-Alexander drove to the right elbow and hit a step-back three-pointer to give the Thunder the lead with 8.5 seconds remaining. Jokić had earlier tied the game with a clutch bucket, but SGA answered with the game-winner. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points, 15 assists, and 9 rebounds, narrowly missing a triple-double. Jokić recorded another triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists in the losing effort.

• The game-winning shot came with 8.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
• Gilgeous-Alexander tied Wilt Chamberlain's record of most consecutive games with 20 or more points earlier in the night.

What’s next

The Thunder and Nuggets will meet one more time this season on April 10 in Denver, in what could be another crucial matchup in the MVP race.