The second-round series features the battle of the MVP finalists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are the best players on their respective teams and have jockeyed for the prestigious award all season. Russell Westbrook's playoff return to OKC is also a juicy secondary storyline.

After a lengthy break, the OKC Thunder returns to playoff basketball Monday with Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets.

The Oklahoma City Thunder solidified themselves as a heavyweight in the Western Conference, especially after sweeping the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. But after taking care of business,