Oklahoma City Thunder

Nine games without their MVP, and the first thing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did upon his return was remind Denver who owns this rivalry. In a contentious February 27, 2026 matchup that featured multiple technicals and a Lu Dort ejection, Gilgeous-Alexander got Christian Braun on an island in the fourth quarter, rose up from the free throw line and buried a mid-range pull-up as clean as they come. Dort, before his night ended early, uncorked a rainbow triple from well beyond the arc off an Isaiah Joe feed that brought Paycom Center to its feet. And in overtime, Alex Caruso swiped the ball, pushed the break, used a Chet Holmgren screen to shield himself from Nikola Jokic and finished with a patient layup. Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 36 points in Oklahoma City's 127-121 overtime victory.