Nikola Jokic's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Statement Before Nuggets-Thunder

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic had high praise for OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander before their playoff series

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) greets Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells (0) after the Thunder defeated the Grizzlies 117-115 in Game 4 to win the first-round NBA playoff series at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday, April 26, 2025. | Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Saturday, the Denver Nuggets took down the LA Clippers in Game 7 of their highly competitive first-round playoff series, punching their ticket to the next round. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, they now have to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder finished their regular season with a league-best 68-14 record and are coming off a 4-0 series sweep against the Memphis Grizzlies. Led by MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder are certainly the team to beat this year, and the Nuggets will have the chance to make a statement.

JOKIC VS. SHAI 🥶

The MVP candidates will clash in the conference semifinals! pic.twitter.com/UypXEjvyQp

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 4, 2025

The Nuggets are led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is fighting for his fourth win in five years, but Gilgeous-Alexander certainly stands in his way. Still, the two superstars are likely far more focused on their upcoming playoff series than their tight MVP race.

"It is the last thing on both of our minds," Jokic said about his MVP race with Gilgeous-Alexander, per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

Mar 10, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Many fans are looking forward to this high-level matchup between two of the NBA's best, but Jokic seems to be excited as well. Ahead of their playoff series, Jokic had high praise for Gilgeous-Alexander.

"He's a very different player," Jokic said. "He's playing on so many levels, speed, as a scorer. Everything looks so easy for him. Even when you are like, 'Oh, that's a good defense.' It feels so easy for him and he's amazing with a change of speed, change of rhythm, ballhandling.

"He can post up guys, he can go by guys, his shooting at the midrange is unguardable basically. He's a very special player."

Shai joined MJ, Wilt and Oscar Robertson as the only players EVER to have 65 straight games of 20+ points in a single season 🪣🔥 pic.twitter.com/dC04v63FBr

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 26, 2025

Jokic has previously said that Gilgeous-Alexander certainly deserves to win this year's MVP award, although both superstars are far more focused on beating each other and fighting for a championship.