We probably still don’t know the real MVP after two straight days of Thunder-Nuggets

March 11, 2025

The Thunder and Nuggets played two straight days, Sunday and Monday, in Oklahoma City. These are the top two teams in the Western Conference, as all NBA fans already know.

You may also know that the Thunder won Sunday, a game in which NBA MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points.

And perhaps you know that the Nuggets won Monday, behind 35 points and 18 rebounds from Nikola Jokic (on 15-of-20 shooting, no less).

Interestingly, the Thunder scored 127 points in each game. It’s just that the Nuggets scored 103 the first time (a loss) and 140 the next night (a win).

Now, that said, the Thunder (53-12) should be able to hold off the Nuggets (42-23) for the top spot in the West playoffs. OKC’s lead is 11 games. Denver will have to be more concerned with holding off the likes of the Lakers, Grizzlies and Rockets for the second seed.

But the side story here is the battle for NBA MVP. Most people around the league will tell you it’s a two-man race: Gilgeous-Alexander or Jokic. That’d be hard to argue.

Personally, I’d give Gilgeous-Alexander an edge. He’s been doing it all season for a team that’s having a storybook type of year.

Of course, Jokic and the Nuggets are charging incredibly hard. In a win over the Suns the other night, Jokic became the first player in NBA history to record a game of at least 30 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists.

He’s already won three NBA MVP awards, and he’s every bit as good as the other seasons in which he did. But Gilgeous-Alexander undoubtedly deserves strong consideration, if he’s not the outright frontrunner.

Anyway, those who are into NBA narratives were kind of left shrugging their shoulders. If they wanted to use these two games as spin jobs… well, they’re out of luck. We still have no clear answer. It could be Gilgeous Alexander. It could be Jokic. I doubt it’ll be anyone else.

But all learned from the past two days is one thing. And that would be both men truly deserve it. They’re both the real MVPs. Yet only one will win. We think.