SHAI GILGEOUS ALEXANDER made an impressive return from injury by scoring 36 points in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 127-121 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets.
The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player had missed nine games after suffering an abdominal strain on 3 February. He played 34 minutes in his comeback game but watched from the bench during overtime.
Alex Caruso stepped up in extra time and guided the Thunder to their sixth win in eight games.
Gilgeous-Alexander said he felt good to be back and expressed gratitude for returning to action.
He started strongly. He opened his scoring with a layup and stayed aggressive throughout the game. However, he received an early technical foul after throwing the ball toward Nikola Jokic following contact after the whistle.
The game grew heated later. Thunder forward Luguentz Dort was ejected for a flagrant foul after tripping Jokic. The incident sparked a brief shoving exchange. Jokic and Oklahoma City’s Jaylin Williams both received technical fouls.
In the final seconds of regulation, Caruso drove to the basket for a potential winner. His shot bounced off the rim at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime.
The Thunder responded quickly in extra time. They scored the first five points and controlled the closing minutes to seal the victory.
The win keeps Oklahoma City two games ahead of the San Antonio Spurs at the top of the Western Conference standings.
