Updated March 9, 2026, 10:05 p.m. ET
The last time these two teams faced off, there were fireworks.
Not only are the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets among the best teams in the NBA, they also don’t particularly like each other.
Just 10 days ago, during an eventual 127-121 Oklahoma City victory in overtime, Thunder guard Luguentz Dort tripped Nikola Jokić, causing the Nuggets star to confront Dort in a brief on-court altercation. Dort was ejected after he was called for a flagrant 2 foul, and he said later that he regretted the play.
Tensions could remain high, as the Thunder try to keep their hold on the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. It also presents another chance for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to chase history. If Gilgeous-Alexander scores at least 20 points, he will tie Wilt Chamberlain for the all-time record for consecutive games with 20 or more points scored, with 126.
Scroll below for the latest updates and analysis from tonight’s clash between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder:
More Luguentz Dort-Nikola Jokić drama
Late in the fourth quarter, while Nikola Jokić was setting a screen, Thunder guard Luguentz Dort swung his trail arm as he tried to get past the screen. The arm struck Jokić across the face, leaving a small scratch above his nose.
Officials reviewed the play and assessed a flagrant 1 foul.
This came just 10 days after Dort tripped Jokić in what officials later deemed a flagrant 2 foul and an automatic ejection. That led to tempers flaring.
On Monday night, both sides kept their cool.
Cameron Johnson returns
After momentarily leaving the game in the third quarter with an apparent hand or finger injury, Cameron Johnson has returned for the Nuggets. The NBC Sports Network crew speculated that it may have been a dislocated finger, though the team didn’t issue an update.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ties Wilt Chamberlain
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, once again, has made history.
The Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star guard has now scored at least 20 points in 126 consecutive games, tying the NBA record set by Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain. Gilgeous-Alexander tied the mark during the Thunder’s game against the Denver Nuggets Monday, March 9.
It’s yet another indicator of Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable consistency and dominance. Gilgeous-Alexander, 27, set the record in the third quarter, on a stepback 3-pointer that he rattled through the net.
End Q3: Thunder 96, Nuggets 93
The offense, to start the third quarter, was a bit of a struggle. At the end of the period, it was a different story.
Both teams combined to start the period just 5-of-22, as turnovers and somewhat sloppy play predominated. To some extent, that favored the Nuggets, who were fine to scrap through those miscues.
Denver went on a 12-0 run midway through the third quarter to eventually reclaim the lead, and, for Denver, the offense flowed through All-Star center Nikola Jokić.
After taking just 6 field goal attempts in the first half, Jokić was aggressive, getting to his spot and forcing the issue. He went 5-of-8 in the third with 12 points in the period, to stretch his total to 21. He’s also on the verge of a triple-double, with 9 rebounds and 11 assists.
But Oklahoma City would respond.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attacked the Nuggets and scored 8 points in the quarter, tying Wilt Chamberlain for consecutive games (126) with at least 20 points. Denver threw double-teams at Gilgeous-Alexander, who faced the added attention and pressure with a calm, measured approach. Gilgeous-Alexander found open teammates who had better looks at the basket, finishing the period with 5 assists to bring his game total to 12.
Cameron Johnson heads down the tunnel with apparent injury
The Nuggets have played just 12 games with this starting lineup, the team’s preferred unit. Early in the third quarter, Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson appeared to suffer an injury, possibly to his hand. Johnson was in obvious discomfort and appeared to be favoring his hand. He ran toward the locker room and stopped in the tunnel, as trainers came over to tend to him.
End Q2: Thunder 66, Nuggets 60
The Oklahoma City Thunder changed the course of this game, but the Nuggets answered back.
A 20-4 OKC run in the second quarter opened up a decent lead on Denver, but the shooting of Tim Hardaway Jr. helped stabilize things for the Nuggets, who mounted a 10-0 run late in the period to close the deficit. Hardaway went 3-of-4 in the quarter and has 16 points.
Still, Oklahoma City outscored the Nuggets by nine points in the period.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads all Thunder players with 17 points, leaving him three short of 20 points, which would tie him with Hall of Fame icon Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive games in NBA history (126) with 20 or more points scored.
The Thunder have looked to push pace and get Denver in transition. Given that starters Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein are all out, OKC has used the defensive attention against the Nuggets; multiple times in the first half, after he drove, Denver collapsed on him and he found open Thunder players in the corners. Gilgeous-Alexander leads all players with 7 assists.
The Thunder are shooting 51% from the floor, compared to 45.5% for Denver, which is led by Aaron Gordon’s 21 points.
Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokić had a fairly quiet half on offense. Though he has 9 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, Jokić attempted just 6 field goals before intermission.
Ajay Mitchell making an impact off the bench
In his first game back since Jan. 21, Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell has been huge off the bench. Mitchell has been aggressive in looking for his shot and has a team-high 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting in a little more than 13 minutes on the floor.
Mitchell had been sidelined with a strained abdominal muscle and ankle injuries, but, now that the Thunder are facing other injuries, Mitchell’s production is huge for the Thunder.
End Q1: Nuggets 40, Thunder 37
In his return after more than a month out, Aaron Gordon scored just 3 points Friday, March 6.
In the first quarter Monday against the Thunder, Gordon went on an absolute heat check, scoring 13 consecutive at one point for the Nuggets, who opened a small lead against the short-handed Thunder. Gordon leads all players with 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the period.
Oklahoma City fell into a 13-point deficit midway through the period, as it struggled to connect from shots beyond the arc. The Thunder went just 4-of-12 (33.3%) from 3-point range.
But Oklahoma City launched a 16-3 run late in the first quarter to close the margin and get back in the game.
The Thunder are without Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain), Chet Holmgren (flu) and Isaiah Hartenstein (left calf contusion), which has led to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking on a larger role in the offense. He leads all Oklahoma City players with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting; SGA is just 9 points away from tying Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record of consecutive games with at least 20 points, at 126.
Nuggets-Thunder gets underway
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, looking to tie Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time record for consecutive games with at least 20 points, got started early, lacing his first two jumpers. But with the Thunder missing their two starting bigs, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, Denver is attacking Oklahoma City down low.
Gilgeous-Alexander already has 5 points, as the Nuggets have opened a 17-8 lead behind Aaron Gordon’s red-hot shooting; Gordon has Denver’s last 13 points.
Nuggets-Thunder starting lineups
Denver Nuggets
- Jamal Murray
- Christian Braun
- Cameron Johnson
- Aaron Gordon
- Nikola Jokić
Oklahoma City Thunder
In the latest injury report, the Thunder have ruled Chet Holmgren (flu) out of the game.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Isaiah Joe
- Cason Wallace
- Luguentz Dort
- Jaylin Williams
How to watch Nuggets vs. Thunder: TV channel, live stream
- Date: Monday, March 9
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. local)
- Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City)
- TV channel: NBC Sports Network
- Live stream: Peacock, Sling
Nuggets vs. Thunder injury report
Denver Nuggets
- DaRon Holmes II, out (G League)
- Curtis Jones, out (G League – two-way)
- Jamal Murray, questionable (left ankle sprain)
- KJ Simpson, out (G League – two-way)
- Peyton Watson, out (right hamstring strain)
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Branden Carlson, out (lower back strain)
- Alex Caruso, out (left hip contusion)
- Isaiah Hartenstein, out (left calf contusion)
- Chet Holmgren, out (flu)
- Thomas Sorber, out (right ACL)
- Jalen Williams, out (right hamstring strain)
Nuggets vs. Thunder odds
Odds according to BetMGM as of Monday, March 9.
- Spread: Thunder by 6.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 232.5 (O; -115)
- Moneyline: Thunder -1275, Nuggets +220