OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) 鈥� Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, two of the favorites for the NBA's MVP award, showed why in a pair of exciting games on back-to-back days in Oklahoma City.
Neither emerged as a clear favorite to claim the hardware.
Jokic, a three-time winner, stuffed the stat sheet as usual. In a , he had 24 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
On Monday, he appeared more determined and assertive, finishing with in a 140-127 win that moved Denver into second place in the conference.
鈥淪ome people use the line, 鈥楽ome people are playing checkers and some are playing chess,鈥�" Denver coach Michael Malone said. 鈥淚 mean, he (Jokic) is just a brilliant person, has a brilliant mind. And he sees things and he reads them at real speed. He鈥檚 not a guy that needs to watch the game film after it. He can pick it up as it鈥檚 going on. Tonight he was awesome.鈥�
Jokic was dominant, despite injuries to his right elbow and left ankle that Malone thought might keep his star center out of the game.
Jokic refused to rest.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a reason that he鈥檚 the best player in the world, because you know the guy just can dominate in so many different ways and forms," Malone said.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA scoring leader who has the Thunder at the top of the Western Conference standings, delivered too. He scored 40 points on Sunday and 25 points on 8-for-14 shooting on Monday.
Gilgeous-Alexander said after Sunday's win that he appreciated the energy the two-game series created and all that came with it.
鈥淚t's like, what you get out of bed for as a competitor, as a basketball player," he said. "It adds a little bit more pop and excitement to the games, without a doubt. Just walking out there pregame, you can feel it in the building.鈥�
The Nuggets were happy to 鈥榟old鈥� Gilgeous-Alexander eight points below his average.
鈥淗e鈥檚 definitely one of the top players in this league," Jokic said. "He鈥檚 really talented. He鈥檚 so crafty. His mid-range has really, really, really, historical accuracy. He鈥檚 a great player. We tried to make him take bad shots or just get rid of the ball.鈥�
Fittingly, the season series ended with each team claiming two wins.
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AP NBA:
Cliff Brunt, The Associated Press
