Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Game Winner Over Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets Leaves Fans Stunned – “That’s a Wrap for MVP”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was receiving heat for being top of the MVP race despite not having as good a season compared to last campaign.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Game Winner Over Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets Leaves Fans Stunned – “That’s a Wrap for MVP”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a game-winning shot against Nikola Jokic's Nuggets, solidifying his MVP candidacy.
  • Fans debated the legitimacy of Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP win, citing his foul-drawing tactics and team support.
  • Nikola Jokic praised Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring consistency, acknowledging the difficulty of his achievement.

After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his first regular-season MVP award, fans were not convinced he earned it in the right way possible, when Nikola Jokic had put together his best season yet.

The arguments against the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar were primarily focused on his controversial ability to draw fouls and how the numerous free throws helped him average more points than he deserved.

At the same time, they felt the Canadian was a beneficiary of having a stellar roster around him, which eventually helped them overcome Jokic’s Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semis last season.

This campaign, the two are again at the top of the MVP race, and SGA’s foul-baiting tactics again came to the fore with ESPN’s Doris Burke, along with Knicks head coach Mike Brown, and others calling out the league for it.

Then, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Serbian came head-to-head in a battle at Paycom Center earlier, where the two were racking up statistics as their respective teams battled each other toe-to-toe until the very end.

In the last 40 seconds of the game, with his Nuggets trailing, Nikola Jokic dragged his team to tie the home team with a two-pointer and a couple of threes.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was not to be left out, as his three with 15 seconds helped his team stretch the lead before the Joker tied. Then, with just six seconds on the clock, the reigning MVP stepped back to drain the game-winner.

Fans react to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ‘clutch’ performance

In any game, the best players on the floor are tasked with leading their respective teams to win. After Nikola Jokic helped his team to a draw, basketball fans felt the game was going to go to overtime.

But with nothing to lose, when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored with a defender’s hand in his face, fans were left stunned. Many felt that the 27-year-old cemented his second league MVP award with this clutch performance. Check out examples of those reactions below:

There are still 16 games left in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s regular season, with their second last of them against Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.

After the center recorded another triple-double, the MVP race might not be over yet. But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has clearly stepped up his game this season, willing his team to a win without fellow All-Stars Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and a few other important players.

Nikola Jokic showers praise on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

With his 35 points, 15 assists, and nine rebounds, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins the great Wilt Chamberlain with 126 consecutive 20-point games. When asked about this feat, Nikola Jokic had this to say about his MVP rival.

Thunder teammates swarm Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after game-winner
Thunder teammates swarm Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after game-winner (Image via SLAM Kicks/X)

I don’t know that people know how hard it is to do that. To make 20 points in 10 games, not 120, whatever it is, it’s special. He’s a special player. It’s a pleasure battling against him.

Nikola Jokic told Anthony Slater

Last year, when the Nuggets superstar was about to lose the MVP award, everyone remarked how his performances were better than those of the Thunder guard.

However, here the 31-year-old has clearly given his perennial MVP rival his flowers, acknowledging how difficult it is to score 20 points ten consecutive times, let alone for more than 120 straight ones.

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