Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the runner-up for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, with Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets taking home the honor. Despite not winning, being in the conversation was a well-deserved recognition for Gilgeous-Alexander as he solidifies himself as one of the top players in the league.
In his sixth NBA season, Gilgeous-Alexander put up impressive numbers, averaging 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game. He shot 53.5% from the floor and 87.4% from the free-throw line, while also leading the league in steals with 150. His defensive impact reached new heights during the 2023-24 campaign, leading the Thunder to a 57-25 record and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
This is the second consecutive season that Gilgeous-Alexander has finished in the top five of MVP voting, marking a significant improvement from his early years in the league. Last season, he hadn’t even made an NBA All-Star game, but now he is considered a bonafide superstar and one of the best players in the NBA.
In the 2022-23 season, Gilgeous-Alexander finished fifth in MVP voting, a significant jump from the previous year when he received zero votes. This season, he earned 640 total points with 15 first-place votes, solidifying his status as a top player in the league alongside the likes of Jokic and Antetokounmpo.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise from an unheralded player on a rebuilding team to a legitimate MVP contender on a championship-caliber squad has been rapid and impressive. At just 25 years old, he is still entering his prime and has the potential to continue improving while playing for a team with a bright future. His offensive prowess and emerging defensive skills make him a force on both ends of the court, and he is poised to be an MVP candidate for years to come.
Having a player like Gilgeous-Alexander, who can impact the game on both offense and defense, is a luxury for the Thunder as they look to make a deep playoff run this season and for the foreseeable future. As the team continues to break records in the current playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander remains a key piece in their quest for a championship. With his talent and potential, he is set to be a fixture in the MVP conversation for many years, provided he stays healthy.
