OKLAHOMA CITY – For the second time in 10 days, All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated MVP candidate Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, giving Jalen Williams an isolated shot. Gilgeous-Alexander's historic night began when he tied Wilt Chamberlain's record of 126 consecutive 20+ point games. He sealed the special night with a 3-pointer that would send the Nuggets home.
The shorthanded Thunder, who competed without Williams, All-Star Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso to name a few, were led by their MVP candidate in Gilgeous-Alexander against a Nuggets team eager to avenge last week's overtime thriller. In terms of Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP race with Jokic, Williams believes SGA's 35-point performance in the Thunder's 129-126 win should seal the race, he said on Twitter with his ex, former .
"MVP. Don't think too much!!!" Williams posted the score shortly after Monday's win, as the Thunder extended their winning streak to six.
Gilgeous-Alexander's near triple-double (35 points, 15 assists, nine rebounds) with a block and a steal led five Thunder players into double figures, including Jaylin Williams' 29 points, including a career-high seven threes, and a dozen rebounds. In his first game since January, Ajay Mitchell led the second unit with 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting, and Isaiah Joe and Jared McCain both added 13 points, including three triples.
Jokic's triple-double (32 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) led the Nuggets. Aaron Gordon added 23 points and 10 rebounds, Tim Hardaway Jr.'s 28 points, including eight threes, led the bench production, while All-Star Jamal Murray added 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Nikola Jokic shouts out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as 'special'
Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic has been impressed by the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is reminding everyone how difficult it is to record 20+ points in 126 consecutive games. jokic expansive Gilgeous-Alexander during his postgame media availability, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater.
"I don't know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, no matter what, it's special. He's a special player," Jokic said. "It's a pleasure and a privilege to play against him."
Nikola Jokic ties Wilt with 126 consecutive 20-point games at SGA
"I don't know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, whatever, it's special. He's a special player." pic.twitter.com/YMSWvXGbhj
- Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) 10 March 2026
The Thunder will look to extend their winning streak to seven when they host the Celtics at Paycom Center on Thursday.
