Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received a technical foul for throwing the ball at Nikola Jokic
On Friday, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder played against the Denver Nuggets. A much hyped match in between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. During the match, tensions rose between the two superstars.
While SGA pushed the ball and guarded Jokić, SGA was seen throwing the ball to Jokic, per ClutchPoints. As a result, he received a technical foul.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received a technical foul after throwing the ball at Nikola Jokic 👀
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 28, 2026
The Thunder enter the game with the best record in the NBA at 45-15 and have won six of their last 10 games. SGA is defending NBA MVP and is averaging 31.8 points and 6.4 assists per game.
Moreover, he is in a tough race for MVP next to Jokic according to the ESPN poll. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are 37-22 and in fourth place in the Western Conference. Also, Jokic averages 28.8 points and 10.4 assists per game.
The Thunder want to repeat as NBA champions. At the same time, the Nuggets are looking to bounce back from a seven-game loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs last season.
Even with the technical foul, SGA and Jokic showed mutual respect in different capacities. Jokic openly complimented Abilities of SGA in TikTok video. Many experts also expect the departure of SGA and Jokić down to the wire in the NBA MVP.
SGA is looking to be the first consecutive MVP since Jokic in 2021 and 2022.
On Sunday, the Thunder will hit the road against the Dallas Mavericks. After that, they will play on the road with the Chicago Bulls.
2026-02-28 04:09:00
