As he looks to earn his fourth MVP award, Jokic has averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game. Jokic stands at top three in the league in each of those statistical categories.

The Nuggets are on the brink of elimination after a 12-point lead in the second half disappeared in Oklahoma City.

The Thunder newbie will see a big jump in his salary next season, from $9.8 million to $18.1, but if he walked into Sam Presti’s office and demanded an advance on that raise, the Thunder brass would be hard-pressed to say no.

That is how Aaron Gordon reacted to Nikola Jokic fouling out in the third period for the first time in his career. That it came in Game 2 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the top-seeded Thunder made it even more exasperating.

But the Thunder's second-round series against the Denver Nuggets was never going to be easy, especially given Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic and Denver's overall experience. With the series tied at 2 heading into Tuesday's Game 5 of their Western Conference series in Oklahoma City,