OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Speaks Out on MVP Race

Oklahoma City Thunder star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is eyeing the NBA's most prestigious individual award after a standout regular season. As the regular season wraps up, each team has faced their share of challenges through 82 games, producing a host of compelling storylines. A key narrative for the Thunder has been Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's performance, which has consistently been at an MVP level.

"I hope I get it," When asked about the NBA MVP award, the 25-year-old responded, according to Brandon Rahbar of Daily Thunder.

Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander placed fifth in the MVP voting but wasn't a frontrunner as the Thunder secured the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference. However, this season marked a significant turnaround. While maintaining his high level of play, Gilgeous-Alexander has helped propel the Thunder to the top seed in the Western Conference, firmly placing him in the MVP conversation.

OKC set a record as the youngest team to notch 57 wins in a season and became the youngest team ever to clinch the No. 1 seed in their conference.


Following their latest win, Thunder center Chet Holmgren took to social media to support Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP candidacy.

This season, Gilgeous-Alexander, who made his second consecutive All-Star appearance, posted impressive averages of 30.3 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.6 rebounds. He shot 53.6% from the field and 35.8% from three-point range.

The 6-foot-6 guard also excelled defensively, leading the NBA with an average of two steals per game.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander's performance on both ends of the court, asserting that it merits MVP recognition.

Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who led the Denver Nuggets to a 57-25 record, is once again a strong contender in the MVP race, alongside Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic, who guided his team to a 50-32 record.

Jokic posted averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists in 79 games. One advantage Gilgeous-Alexander holds over Jokic is winning the regular season series and edging out the Nuggets for the No. 1 seed via a tiebreaker. However, Jokic faces the potential drawback of voter fatigue after another standout season.

Doncic also presents a compelling case with his impressive stats of 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game. His chances could have been higher with more team wins or notable defensive play.

With his stellar performance on both ends of the court, Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to finish in the top three for MVP voting. Ultimately, any choice for MVP this season is well justified.

Source Sports Illustrated : Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Addresses Most Valuable Player Race
Source TheScore : Gilgeous-Alexander: 'I hope I get' MVP