On Wednesday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added his title to an elite listing of Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder MVPs, following within the footsteps of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The respect felt inevitable after his spectacular season. Shortly after the announcement, San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul — who as soon as mentored Gilgeous-Alexander throughout their time collectively in OKC — took to social media with a heartfelt message celebrating the league’s latest MVP.
“Shai, congrats my brother, congrats man,” stated CP3 in a video greeting. “We talked about this final 12 months, and to see you set the work in once more, day in and day trip, we knew it was coming and we knew it was only a matter of time. I could not be happier for you, man. For Hailey, for Ares, to your mothers, pops, no flutes. You deserve this.”
Notable legends congratulate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for profitable the MVP award 🤩
– Chris Paul
– Vini Jr.
– Ronaldinho
– Wayne Gretzky
– Steve Nash(through @okcthunder)pic.twitter.com/ldSysn0OvJ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) Might 22, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander guided the Thunder to a franchise-best 68-14 document, all whereas navigating a season full of accidents to key teammates and an often-shuffled supporting solid.
“You are one of the crucial selfless individuals I ever met in my life. However this second is about you and what you probably did and your teammates, man. Get pleasure from it. I do know you have obtained much more work to do, however congrats on MVP my brother. Love you.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP run with the Thunder
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After ending second to Nikola Jokic in final 12 months’s MVP race, Gilgeous-Alexander confronted a harder, extra aggressive pursuit this season. Jokic averaged a triple-double and ranked among the many league leaders in 4 main statistical classes — an unprecedented feat. Even he known as it the most effective season of his profession. For Gilgeous-Alexander to sway voters away from a three-time MVP enjoying at that degree, it will take one thing really particular.
Gilgeous-Alexander left little doubt this time. He led the league in scoring and constantly delivered high-impact performances, posting extra 50-, 40-, 30-, and 20-point video games than another participant. On protection, he ranked close to the highest in steals and was one of the crucial lively shot-blockers amongst guards. What set him aside? He anchored a 68-win Thunder staff, carrying them via accidents and pushing OKC to its finest season ever.
The Thunder celebrity captured the MVP honors by incomes 71 out of 100 first-place votes, outpacing Nikola Jokic, who claimed the opposite 29 and completed because the runner-up. Giannis Antetokounmpo got here in third, whereas 12 completely different gamers appeared on not less than one poll within the high 5.
At 26 years outdated, he earned the award after delivering one of many best guard performances in NBA historical past. He topped the league with a median of 32.7 factors per recreation. He did it with spectacular effectivity, capturing 51.9% from the sphere, 37.5% from three, and 89.8% from the free-throw line, whereas additionally including 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds per recreation.
Gilgeous-Alexander was chosen eleventh total within the 2018 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, who instantly traded his rights to the Los Angeles Clippers. Throughout his lone season with the Clippers, he averaged 10.8 factors and three.3 assists per recreation.