OKLAHOMA CITY – The NBA got a step closer to another contentious Most Valuable Player debate Friday at Paycom Center.

Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made his return against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets after missing the previous nine games with an abdominal strain. The rematch of last season’s second-round playoff series marked the 50^th game last season’s MVP played this season. Jokic is at 44 games after Friday.

Players must play in 65 games to be eligible for MVP and the major awards. The rule was instituted ahead of the 2023-24 season and is already receiving pushback.

“Those two guys in particular, the rule wasn’t made for them. They both got hurt. They both always play,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said prior to tipoff.

“When a fan buys a ticket, they’re going to play. They’ve done that over the years.”

Adelman and Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said the rule won’t impact how they handle their respective stars for the rest of the season. Daigneault added he tries to stay out of such debates.

“We’re obviously aware of it with all of our players. Individual awards are something that guys want, earn and have ambition for. We would be naïve not to know that,” Daigneault said.

“We’re always going to prioritize the health of our players in every situation. We’re always going to be wise in every situation, including the 65-game rule.”

Gilgeous-Alexander remains the betting favorite to go back-to-back and has more margin for error than Jokic, who can only miss one of Denver’s final 22 games if he wants to remain eligible. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31.8 points per game ranks second to only Luka Doncic. He’s also averaging 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 55.4% from the field, 39% from 3-point range and 89.2% on free throws.

“The guy is unique, special. He was the MVP of our league last year, so he brings all kinds of challenges,” Adelman said. “He gets to his spots.”

Jokic’s 28.8 points per game ranks sixth, but he leads the league in rebounds (12.5) and assists (10.4) per game, while shooting 57.7% from the field, 41.3% from 3-pointer range and 83% on free throws.

The first of the head-to-head matchups this season went to Oklahoma City. Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to a 121-111 win in Denver with 34 points, 13 assists and five rebounds on Feb. 1. It was his penultimate performance before his injury. The first game against Oklahoma City was Jokic’s second after missing more than a month. He finished with 16 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in 29 minutes.

The NBA’s premier talents meet back at Paycom Center on March 9 and again on April 10 in Denver, both teams’ second-to-last games of the regular season. Each matchup will loom large in the MVP debate, as long as both players can stay healthy.

“You’re going to see two of the best tonight,” Adelman said.