Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder prevailed over the Denver Nuggets 129-126 during Monday’s home clash behind a heroic performance from the reigning MVP.
The latest memorable finish between the Western Conference rivals sent the NBA world into an uproar, with many chiming in on its ramifications on this year’s heated MVP race between Gilgeous-Alexander and Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Game-Winner vs. Nuggets Fuels Back-to-Back MVP Hype
Trailing 123-116 approaching the final minute, Denver appeared to be on the ropes. However, with some favorable calls and clutch shot-making from Jokić, the Nuggets managed to claw their way back.
After splitting a pair of flagrant free throws, the three-time MVP big man drilled a corner 3-pointer to cut OKC’s lead to 123-120 with 1:05 remaining. Jokić followed that up with a spinning floater to bring the Nuggets within one point (123-122) with 31.2 seconds to go.
Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a step-back triple at the top of the arc to extend the Thunder’s edge to 126-122 with 13.6 seconds on the clock.
This set the stage for Jokić to counter with a straightaway 3 of his own on the other end with 8.5 seconds left. His co-star Jamal Murray was simultaneously fouled, allowing Denver to complete an unconventional four-point play to tie the game at 126-126.
Gilgeous-Alexander ultimately got the last laugh, though, splashing a contested step-back triple to put OKC ahead 129-126 with just 2.7 seconds to go. With no timeouts remaining, the Nuggets were unable to get a good look to try to force overtime.
With the thrilling victory, the Thunder improved to 3-0 over the Nuggets in their hard-fought season series, potentially cementing Gilgeous-Alexander’s case for his second MVP.
“SGA is an assassin,” analyst Kevin O’Connor declared.
SGA is an assassin
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) March 10, 2026
“1. Please, please, please let us see Thunder-Nuggets in the playoffs again.
2. That was quite the sequence from the MVP — could be the defining moment of MVP number two,” ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reacted.
1. Please, please, please let us see Thunder-Nuggets in the playoffs again.
2. That was quite the sequence from the MVP — could be the defining moment of MVP number two.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) March 10, 2026
“That was an amazing game. SGA, my lord, what a shot (again!),” The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski exclaimed.
That was an amazing game. SGA, my lord what a shot (again!)
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) March 10, 2026
“SGA. Wow. What a killer. That was an incredible performance,” Nuggets analyst Ryan Blackburn gushed.
SGA. Wow. What a killer. That was an incredible performance.
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) March 10, 2026
“SGA is the MVP. No debate,” Thunder writer Brandon Rahbar contended.
Thunder win.
unbelievable game.
SGA is the MVP. No debate.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) March 10, 2026
“OKC-Denver finish was just incredible. SGA and Joker traded haymakers, and SGA got the last one. I get the free-throw merchant stuff gets on everybody’s nerves, but he can dial it up when he has to, and he just hit back-to-back daggers there,” The Indianapolis Star’s Dustin Dopirak raved.
OKC-Denver finish was just incredible. SGA and Joker traded haymakers and SGA got the last one. I get the free throw merchant stuff gets on everybody’s nerves, but he can dial it up when he has to and he just hit back-to-back daggers there.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) March 10, 2026
“Shai is UN F’ing real. Nuggets, why even let him touch it? Any1 else but him,” NFL legend Shannon Sharpe weighed in.
Shai is UN F’ing real. Nuggets, why even let him touch it? Any1 else, but him.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) March 10, 2026
“Andddddddd…. That’s a wrap for MVP,” The Ringer’s Bill Simmons opined.
Andddddddd…. That’s a wrap for MVP
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 10, 2026
On top of hitting an electric game-winner, Gilgeous-Alexander edged out Jokić 35-32 in head-to-head scoring. The four-time All-Star also tied NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most consecutive 20-point games (126), adding an exclamation point to his already-dominant season.
