Feb. 28, 2026, 2:01 p.m. CT
Over the last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets have turned into one of the NBA’s top rivalries. Last year’s playoff clash was viewed as the most consequential. We’re now in the third part of an epic MVP debate trilogy with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.
Even with injury problems and inconsistencies, most still view the Thunder and Nuggets as the top two contenders. If they meet once again in the playoffs, it could decide the NBA champion once again.
That’s why it shouldn’t be a shocker to see the Thunder’s 127-121 overtime win over the Nuggets be the attention of the NBA universe for the night. Anytime they match up, it’s must-watch TV. Especially with how drama-filled this latest chapter of the saga was.
The headliner involved Jokic and Lu Dort. In the fourth quarter, Dort tripped Jokic on a mundane inbounds play. The three-time MVP winner saw red and immediately darted at the OKC starter. Jaylin Williams interfered to back up his teammate. Eventually, both sides went to their respective benches.
Dort was ejected with a flagrant foul two. Jokic and Williams received a double technical foul. In a playoff-esque atmosphere, the Thunder pulled away from the Nuggets late. Even without Gilgeous-Alexander in overtime.
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Afterward, Jokic talked about Dort’s flagrant foul. He wasn’t a fan of the move, to say the least. He felt like he needed to serve a little bit of self-justice. Nevermind the fact that he also threw his body around several Thunder players in an attempt to antagonize them from the jump.
“It’s an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction,” Jokic said. “There is no such thing — I think there’s not supposed to be those things on a basketball floor. So, it was just an unnecessary move and a necessary reaction by me.”
The Thunder and Nuggets have two more matchups left in the regular season. Maybe more in the NBA playoffs. Regardless of who you thought was right or wrong between Jokic and Dort, you can’t discount the entertainment value of OKC and Denver games.
On top of getting to watch some of the best basketball, you also get the theatrics of a heavyweight bout between two title contenders whose history only grows by the day.