Historical past favors final yr’s runner-up because the race towards the MVP narrows between Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Gilgeous-Alexander is main Jokic within the MVP race. Solely Michael Jordan was snubbed for the illustrious award whereas main the league in scoring and main the Bulls to 60+ wins.
Jokic, the league’s reigning MVP, is in pursuit of reaching his fourth. Nevertheless, after lacking 4 consecutive video games because of a left ankle damage, he’s fallen behind Gilgeous-Alexander. With 10 video games remaining within the common season, issues might change. Nonetheless, outdoors of Jordan’s caveat yr in 1996-97, shedding to Corridor of Fame ahead Karl Malone, might Gilgeous-Alexander be the subsequent to obtain an infinite snub?
Traditionally talking, it might put Jordan and Gilgeous-Alexander in a league of their very own, per former ESPN reporter Royce Younger.
“Historical past emphatically says should you lead the league in scoring on the crew with 60+ wins, you win MVP,” Younger reported. “10 occasions in NBA historical past, the scoring champ has been on a crew with 60 or extra wins. 9 out of 10 occasions, that participant gained MVP. The one one which didn’t: Michael Jordan in 1997.”
Gilgeous-Alexander averages a league-leading 32.8 factors, 6.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals, the second-highest within the NBA, and 1.0 blocks per sport. The Thunder, 60-12, captured their sixtieth win in 2024-25, tying a franchise document for many wins in a daily season.
Candace Parker provides Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MVP flowers
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TNT broadcaster Candace Parker addressed Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP race with Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic. Throughout halftime of the Thunder’s 121-105 win in opposition to the Kings, TNT analyst and former WNBA star Parker gave Gilgeous-Alexander his MVP flowers in the course of the broadcast.
Parker says Gilgeous-Alexander’s efficiency proves why he’s main the MVP race over Jokic.
“SGA is simply proving that there’s ranges to this,” Parker mentioned. “There’s a motive why he’s a frontrunner for MVP, and lots of it has to do with the whole protection constructed to cease him, however him time and time once more slithering by the lane.”
Then, she added a historic perspective to Gilgeous-Alexander’s offense.
“He’s pulling down the three extra this yr. And SGA is so easy as a result of he performs off two toes, however he has the flexibility to blow previous you,” Parker added. “There’s a motive he’s the primary participant with 30+ factors, 40+ video games [in] three straight seasons since MJ.”
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will host the Grizzlies on the Paycom Middle on Thursday.