Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shares his thoughts on the buzz surrounding the MVP race with Nikola Jokic.
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged victorious in the battle of the top two MVP candidates on Sunday, with the Oklahoma City Thunder beating Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets 127-103 at Ball Arena. In his postgame press conference, Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about the hype surrounding this MVP race and had an interesting response.
“I never thought about it, but I would think it’s something to talk about,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s entertainment. It’s a part of the sport. It’s an honor to be in the conversation. To be regarded as such.”
It sure is an honor to be in the conversation, and Gilgeous-Alexander is very much the favorite for MVP right now. The 26-year-old shone against the Nuggets, with 40 points (15-32 FG), eight rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. He scored nine points while going a perfect 4-4 from the field in the fourth quarter to help the Thunder seize control and improve to 53-11 this season.
Gilgeous-Alexander outplayed Jokic on the night, with the reigning MVP recording 24 points (10-23 FG), 13 rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and three blocks. It was a good showing by the Serbian, who seemed to be a bit hampered by an elbow injury, but it wasn’t good enough.
The Nuggets dropped to 43-21 this season with this loss, and the increasing gap in team record is further strengthening Gilgeous-Alexander’s case for MVP. Jokic’s incredible averages of 28.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game have ensured he remains in the race, but he lost some ground here.
Jokic will get a chance to make up as the two teams face off again at Paycom Center on Monday at 8 PM ET. If the Nuggets lose again, though, then Gilgeous Alexander, who is averaging 32.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game in 2024-25, would have one hand on the award.
Stephen A. Smith’s Strong Comments On The MVP Race
Jokic thrust himself back in the lead in this MVP race for many with his incredible 31-point, 21-rebound, and 22-assist outing against the Phoenix Suns on Friday. It was the first-ever 30-20-20 game in NBA history, but Stephen A. Smith wasn’t swayed by it. Smith stated he wouldn’t allow the game to rewrite the MVP narrative.
“We ain’t going to start this narrative where all of a sudden Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is compromised for league MVP again, like he was last year.”
“Since February 1st, America—look at me, America—don’t look at me. Since February 1st, the Oklahoma City Thunder are an NBA-best 15-2. Okay? I’m looking at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander right now—he leads the NBA with 32.8 points per game, okay?”
“In the calendar year, four 50-point games in 2025. Oh, by the way, averaging 34 on 51% shooting, 43% from three-point range.”
“We ain’t gonna do this. Oklahoma City is the number one seed. Everybody’s looking up—way up. You got to climb a ladder. We’re not doing this to SGA. SGA is gonna be the league MVP if he keeps this up. I don’t care what Jokic does.”
Smith voted for Gilgeous-Alexander as MVP
last year and is set to do so again. He was stunned that the Thunder guard didn’t win the award in 2024 and doesn’t want to see that happen again.