Thu Mar 13 00:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Jokic Silences Critics, Nuggets Beat Thunder in MVP Showdown Rematch

**Oklahoma City, OK** – Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, playing despite injuries and coach Michael Malone’s suggestion he sit out, delivered a dominant performance, scoring 35 points with 18 rebounds and 8 assists in a 140-127 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. This win followed a 24-point loss to the Thunder on Sunday, a game in which Jokic sustained elbow and ankle injuries.

Malone had initially considered resting Jokic due to his injuries and heavy minutes played in recent games (45, 41, 39, and 38 minutes in the previous four). However, Jokic’s desire to lead his team to victory overruled concerns.

The game marked the second consecutive night of a head-to-head matchup between Jokic and Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a leading contender for the MVP award. Gilgeous-Alexander, who leads the NBA in scoring, had a strong performance in Sunday’s Thunder victory (40 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists), but Jokic’s stellar play on Monday stole the spotlight.

Malone vehemently defended Jokic’s MVP candidacy, arguing that the Nuggets center’s near-triple-double averages and unique statistical achievements should make him a clear winner. He even went so far as to call any other outcome “bull–ting.” While acknowledging Gilgeous-Alexander’s exceptional season and praising him as a “great guy and player,” Malone passionately championed Jokic’s case.

Jokic himself downplayed the MVP race, stating that he’s playing the best basketball of his life, but ultimately, the award is out of his control. He also revealed his reluctance to sit out games, preferring the rigors of playing to workouts with his strength coach. Despite his injuries, Jokic showcased his remarkable conditioning, consistently playing over 70 games a season.

The back-to-back games served as a microcosm of the ongoing MVP debate. Gilgeous-Alexander won Sunday; Jokic took Monday. The intense competition and remarkable performances of both players have captivated the NBA world, leaving the MVP race wide open heading into the season’s final stretch.

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