OKLAHOMA CITY — Ahead of Friday's showdown between MVP candidate Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets and All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder, coach David Edelman had an interesting thing to say. Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander are recovering from injuries that have kept them out of a lot of games. Many wondered whether any of them would be able to reach the NBA's 65-game requirement to qualify for the MVP award.
For the third consecutive season, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic are the two leading candidates for MVP. Before Friday's matchup, Edelman addressed the league 65-game regular-season requirement For NBA awards and how it could affect Jokic and SGA's tight race.
"The rules weren't made for them. They both got hurt. They both play all the time. So, that part of it — maybe we have to look at that. I really mean that. That's one of the best things about both guys," Edelman said. "When a fan buys a ticket, they're going to play. And they've done that for years, and our guy's been doing that for a very long time. Him missing a game, him missing a practice, him missing a workout, it's really tough on that guy.
"He's a regular-based player, which is good for our game, good for the fans, and Shai is the same way. That's one of the most impressive things about both guys. So, when both guys get hurt, I don't look at it as a comfort. I think there's a difference, and I know why the rule is there — it's to clean things up. It makes sense to me and to the fan."
While the 65-game rule forces teams to play their stars regardless of their record, Nuggets coach David Edelman understands the importance of fans attending games. He doesn't think this rule should apply to guys like Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander, who rarely miss games intentionally.
"It's the worst when your bus is parking, and you see kids in jerseys, and they show up, and that guy doesn't play," Edelman said. "I look at it both ways, but in the spirit of the game, I think Shai and Nicola have been great for the league over the years. I hope that's taken into account as we move forward."
David Edelman's strong opinion on SGA and Jokic's MVP race in relation to the NBA's 65-game rule: "The rule wasn't made for them. They both get hurt. They both play all the time. So, that part of it – maybe we have to take a look at that...
There is a difference and I know why the rule is... pic.twitter.com/IWRsNt7krz
-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 28 February 2026
Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander return for Nuggets
After missing the past nine games, Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns from an abdominal injury for Friday's contest against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. It's always must-see TV when Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic are going at it.
After last year's Western Conference Semifinals best-of-7 series, where the Thunder and Nuggets played Game 7 at Paycom Center, this should be another playoff-like intensity with SGA and Jokic taking center stage.
