After returning and defeating Nikola Jokic head-to-head, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has pulled ahead in the latest NBA MVP rankings.

Alexander's scoring brilliance was unmatched, while Nikola Jokic’s triple-double highlighted his all-around mastery.

The rivalry between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder hit another level on Friday night when Nikola Jokić took exception to a foul committed by Lu Dort in the fourth quarter.

Since the All-Star break, the Denver Nuggets have lost four out of their six games, including back-to-back losses to their Western Conference rivals, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now, for the first time this season, they have fallen out of the top four, dropping to fifth with a 37-24 record.

NBA fans react to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic's heated opening moment in Denver vs. OKC's Friday's game.

Jones appeared in only eight games with the Mavericks, averaging 16.6 minutes per game with 3.9 points and 3.8 assists.

This article was originally published on www.nugglove.com as Nikola Jokic vaults into elite company after Draymond Green's comparison.