While the focus might be on Jokic and his MVP battle against Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder got some massive news ahead of the Monday night matchup. For the first time since his injury in early November, star big man Chet Holmgren will be available for both games in a back-to-back, according to Rylan Stiles.

Thunder forward Chet Holmgren addressed head coach Mark Daigneault’s philosophy amid foul trouble during Sunday’s win against the Nuggets. Sticking with Holmgren despite his three fouls in the first half helped the Thunder finish the second quarter on a high note.

Telling reporters afterward that he's "playing the best basketball of my life," Denver star Nikola Jokic had 35 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists, as his Nuggets defeated the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 140-127 on Monday night.