David Adelman Keeps 100 on Nikola Jokic, SGA MVP Race, NBA 65 Game Rule

OKLAHOMA CITY — Ahead of Friday’s showdown of MVP contenders Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets and All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thundercoach David Adelman delivered an interesting recording. Jokić and Gilgeus-Aleksandar leave with injuries it kept them both out of a significant number of games. Many wondered if either would meet the NBA’s 65 game requirement to qualify for the MVP award.

For the third consecutive season, Gilgeus-Aleksandar and Jokic are the two leading candidates for MVP. Before Friday’s game, Adelman addressed the league 65 game regular season requirement for NBA awards and how that could affect the tight race between Jokic and SGA.

“The rule wasn’t made for them. Both of them got hurt. Both of them always play. So that part – maybe we have to look at that. I really think that. That’s one of the best things about both guys,” Adelman said. “When a fan buys a ticket, he’s going to play. And they’ve done it over the years, and our guy’s been doing it for a very long time. If he misses a game, misses practice, misses practice, it’s really tough on a guy.

“He’s a routine-based player, which is good for our game, good for the fans, and Shai is the same way. That’s one of the most impressive things about both guys. So when both guys are injured, I just don’t see it as a rest. I think there’s a difference, and I know why the rule is – it’s to cheer things clean. That makes sense to me, too.

While the 65-game rule forces teams to play their stars regardless of their record, Nuggets coach David Adelman understands the importance of fans attending games. He just doesn’t think that rule should apply to guys like Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander, who rarely miss games on purpose.

“The worst thing is when your bus pulls up, you see the kids in the jerseys, they show up, and that guy’s not playing,” Adelman added. “I see it both ways, but in the spirit of the game, I just think Shai and Nikola have been so good for the league over the years. I hope that’s taken into account as we go forward.”

David Adelman’s strong take on the SGA and Jokic’s MVP race vs. the NBA’s 65-game rule: “The rule wasn’t made for them. They’re both hurt. They’re both always playing. So that part — maybe we have to look at that…

There is a difference and I know why the rule is… pic.twitter.com/IVRsNt7krz

— Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) February 28, 2026

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns for Nikola Jokic, Nuggets

After missing the previous nine games, the Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns from abdominal injury for Friday’s showdown against Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets. It’s always must-see TV when Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic go on it.

After last year’s best-of-7 series in the Western Conference semifinals, where the Thunder and Nuggets played Game 7 at the Pike Center, it should be another playoff-like intensity with SGA and Jokic in the spotlight.