Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets

We are tracking a major shift in the Western Conference hierarchy as Nikola Jokic returned from a 16-game absence on Friday, recording 31 points and 12 rebounds in just 25 minutes of action. While the top-seeded Thunder boast a league-best 38-11 record, they enter Ball Arena significantly shorthanded without secondary star Jalen Williams (hamstring) and defensive anchor Alex Caruso (adductor). This 'West Finals preview' hinges on whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can maintain his 32.0 PPG pace while facing a healthier Nuggets rotation that is currently on a two-game winning streak.