Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, earned the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award for the second year in a row. This achievement highlights his status as the best player on the league’s top team.
Gilgeous-Alexander joins a select group as the 18th player to win multiple MVP awards, becoming the 14th to win them consecutively. During a celebration at the Thunder practice facility, he expressed gratitude to his teammates, emphasizing the team’s role in his success. “All the numbers, all the accolades, everything that I do on the court, if we won 10 games I wouldn’t be in this conversation,” he noted.
His victory continues a trend as the eighth consecutive MVP from outside the U.S. Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Joel Embiid have kept this streak alive. This year, Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 83 first-place votes, ahead of Jokic and France’s Victor Wembanyama.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistency and improvement over time. He received gifts from the MVP, including personalized items and expensive watches.
International players have dominated MVP voting, consistently finishing in top positions. Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, and Antetokounmpo led the rankings. In past years, different combinations of these players have topped the list.
The Thunder will face the Spurs in the Western Conference finals. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will present the MVP trophy to Gilgeous-Alexander during the opening game. The award is among several he received this season, including Clutch Player of the Year.
Gilgeous-Alexander emphasizes team success over individual awards. His performance on the court drives the Thunder’s success. He scored an average of 31.1 points per game, ranking second to Luka Doncic.
While players like Jokic achieved statistical milestones, such as averaging a triple-double, they missed out on MVP awards in such seasons. Jokic has produced such performances without receiving the MVP in those particular years.
Despite his individual accolades, Gilgeous-Alexander remains committed to the team philosophy. He credits his success to the collective effort of the organization and his teammates, describing their shared goal of winning as pivotal to their achievements.