LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander outdueled Most Valuable Player (MVP) rival Nikola Jokic with a 40-point performance as the Oklahoma City Thunder produced a late barrage to defeat the Denver Nuggets, 127-103, on Sunday.

A pulsating battle between the National Basketball Association (NBA) Western Conference heavyweights was settled by a fourth quarter offensive onslaught from Oklahoma City, who outscored Denver 41-20 in the final frame to romp to victory.

Gilgeous-Alexander — widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed Jokic as the league’s MVP — was instrumental in the Thunder’s strong finish.

The gifted Canadian point guard once again came up big when it mattered, slamming the door on Denver after the Nuggets had got to within one point of Oklahoma City at the start of the fourth quarter after clawing their way back from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander added nine points in the fourth quarter to complete his 11th 40-point of the season, putting the Thunder within touching distance of clinching their place in the postseason. The Thunder are now 53-11 at the top of the Western Conference after their seventh straight victory, 12 games clear of the second-placed Los Angeles Lakers.