Thunder take down Nuggets in chippy OT showdown as SGA returns

The Thunder got their MVP back. Then they got a little extra edge to go with it.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points in his return from a nine-game absence due to an abdominal strain, and Oklahoma City outlasted the visiting Nuggets 127-121 in overtime Friday in a game that felt like May instead of February.

It was physical. It was chippy. It included multiple technical fouls and an ejection.

Gilgeous-Alexander did not play in overtime, but the Thunder still finished it off.

Denver star Nikola Jokic posted 23 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists. He tangled with Lu Dort throughout the night, and Dort was eventually ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul in the fourth quarter.

Jokic and Oklahoma City’s Jaylin Williams received offsetting technicals during the ensuing scrum.

Jamal Murray, who had been listed as questionable with an illness, led Denver with 39 points.

The Thunder and Nuggets know each other well. Oklahoma City eliminated Denver in seven games in last season’s Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder also won the first two meetings this season.

From the opening tip, this one had that feel again.

Gilgeous-Alexander had 18 points by halftime, but Denver led 59-50 after hitting 11 three-pointers. He added 14 in the third as Oklahoma City chipped away.

Fittingly, it was tied at 107 after regulation. Then the Thunder found just enough