the Oklahoma City Thunder's matchup against the Denver Nuggets had a secondary storyline beyond the MVP buzz between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic — Russell Westbrook's return.

Westbrook logged 19 points (8-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and three steals over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 115-95 loss to the Timberwolves. Making his second straight start as the Nuggets go with a smaller lineup while Aaron Gordon (calf) is sidelined,