The Denver Nuggets took down the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night in a battle between MVP hopefuls Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Joker managed to outplay SGA, producing 35 points,

Nikola Jokic’s mere acknowledgment of a momentous season was an eye-opening development in the MVP race between him and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“This is my third or fourth year in a row, so I’m really — I don’t know. I cannot control it,” Jokić said. “Obviously, I think I’m playing the best basketball of my life. So if that’s enough, it’s enough. If not, the guy deserves it. He’s really amazing.” Nuggets coach Michael Malone was happy to step up and make the case for his guy.