Playing back-to-back seven-game series, Denver had Oklahoma hand them a semi-final exit. After proceeding to the WCF, the Thunder showed complete dominance in Game 1. Addressing OKC's win, Mike Malone mentioned how Shai showed he was the true MVP, stirring up social media.

During NBA playoff pregame coverage in Oklahoma City, Malone clarified, if he had a MVP vote, he would have voted for Jokić over eventual MVP winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of th

"Nikola [Jokic] won the first of his three MVPs and I did vote for him again this year if I had a vote," said Malone on NBA Countdown. "I want to make sure the people in Denver know that because right now,