Peyton Watson Details How Denver Nuggets Plan to Stop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Coming Games

SGA finished with a solid 33 points on 46.2 percent shooting to go with ten rebounds, eight assists, and a lone turnover, although he was unable to take over the game like Jokic did, offering 42 points and 22 rebounds.

While the Nuggets' defense wasn't able to shut down the MVP frontrunner, the damage was minimized. 

"I like that we continued to tighten up screws in today's game, made things hard for him, made him pass a little bit more than I know he'd like to," said Watson. "And also just make him a little bit uncomfortable. He'll end up missing some of those shots that he usually makes, or he'll fatigue or tire over the game, and we know that. So we're just continuing to abide by the game plan, do what the coaches tell us to do, and just try to find a way to pull out wins."

In Game 2 and beyond, the Nuggets will need to bring the same even intensity against Gilgeous-Alexander, as slowing him down remains one of Denver's only hopes in advancing to the Conference Finals, and they showed that they can do it in Game 1.