First time seeing Jokic get so furious.

The high-stakes game between the Nuggets and the Thunder indeed lived up to the hype, with both sides once again bringing playoff-caliber intensity. From the opening tip-off, this matchup was filled with a palpable sense of rivalry, much more so than in their first encounter earlier this month.

Alexander attacked the rim, Jokic fouled him, and Alexander, frustrated by the nature of the foul, hurled the ball at Jokic, earning a technical foul. This incident established the officiating precedent for the entire contest.

In the final quarter, a signature moment of Jokic's season unfolded. Dort delivered a dirty hit that knocked Jokic down. Jokic immediately sprang up, visibly enraged, and confronted Dort. Williams then rushed over, grabbing and pulling at Jokic's jersey, while Jokic glared back with gritted teeth—a genuinely intimidating scene.

This was truly the first time I've seen Jokic lose his temper to this extent; he looked ready to devour Williams. He remained relatively calm during his previous clash with Morris, but today his anger was real. The primary reason was undoubtedly the malicious nature of Dort's move.

As Jokic sprinted forward, Dort timed a move, shifting his hip to directly impact Jokic's midsection while also tripping him with his foot, sending Jokic flying. While Jokic has a reputation for flopping, this time he was genuinely knocked off his feet. Dort played the innocent card, which only fueled Jokic's frustration.

Ultimately, Dort was ejected, and both Jokic and Williams received technical fouls. It's rare to see both Alexander and Jokic each pick up a technical foul in the same game.

Compared to usual, Jokic didn't get favorable calls against the Thunder. The officiating was physical on both ends, and Jokic attempted only 5 free throws all game. Coupled with his shooting struggles since returning from injury, his offensive performance was subpar.

For the game, Jokic shot 9-for-25 from the field and 2-for-10 from three-point range, finishing with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists. His overall stat line remains impressive, but his shooting efficiency was a significant drawback. The Nuggets built a 14-point lead in the first quarter, but were outscored over the final three quarters and overtime.

The main reason was the Thunder's ability to hit open three-pointers. Dort, McCain later on, and Caruso all connected from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter, and Isaiah Joe stepped up in overtime. Alexander didn't even play in OT for precautionary reasons, yet Holmgren and Williams shouldered the load, showcasing the Thunder's championship pedigree and resilience.

When the game seemed all but decided, Jamal Murray's three consecutive three-pointers were startling. Murray was the Nuggets' best offensive player today with 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. If Jokic had shot even close to his normal standards, the Nuggets likely would have secured the win.

Both teams were shorthanded: the Nuggets were without Gordon, and the Thunder missed Williams. Comparatively, Gordon's absence was more keenly felt. Without his presence and spacing, Jokic faced a tough battle inside, which also allowed Holmgren to grab a career-high 21 rebounds.

In a high-level matchup like this, the issues arising from a key absence are magnified. This was evident when Hardaway committed two critical turnovers in clutch moments, which ultimately decided the game's outcome. Hardaway is serviceable in regular-season rotation minutes, but asking him to perform in such a high-pressure, possession-by-possession battle proved too difficult.

The Nuggets should be concerned. Since his return, Jokic has played 12 games, with the team going 5-7. During his absence, the team went 10-6. This is the first extended absence of Jokic's career, and it has clearly disrupted his rhythm, leading to poor shooting since his comeback.

The two teams will meet again in just 10 days. The Thunder have now beaten the Nuggets twice, making the next matchup a must-win for Denver.

Currently sitting 4th in the West, the Nuggets could very well face the Thunder again in the playoffs if these standings hold. However, Denver has the toughest remaining schedule in the league, including two more games against the Thunder and three against the Spurs. In the brutal Western Conference, it wouldn't be surprising if the Nuggets fell to the lower half of the bracket or even into the play-in tournament.

Regardless, I hope we get to see another Nuggets vs. Thunder series in this year's playoffs. When elite teams clash, there's no holding back—it's a fierce, physical battle with every move counting, and that's exactly what we want to witness.