The Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominant victory over the injury-plagued Dallas Mavericks, with a score of 135-86, secured their top spot in the rankings.
Following the win, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spoke candidly about his chances of clinching the MVP title at the end of the regular season. He humbly acknowledged the deserving contenders vying for the honor alongside him.
As per the NBA website, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander closed the season with an impressive average of 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. His stellar performance has been instrumental in propelling the Thunder above Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets in the standings.
This surge in Shai’s performance may sway last-minute votes in his favor. Despite Luka Doncic boasting stellar stats, the Mavericks’ overall record might hinder his chances of claiming the MVP accolade.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Impact Is Better Than Jokic’s
In what seems to be a tight three-way race for the MVP title, Nikola Jokic currently holds the advantage. Shai’s recent rise to the top seed may place him ahead of Doncic for the No. 2 spot on the MVP leaderboard. However, surpassing Jokic might prove to be a challenging feat.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable impact on the Thunder surpasses Jokic’s influence on the Nuggets. Should he secure the MVP award, it would mark a historic achievement as the first standout player from the 2018 NBA Draft Class to claim the title. Despite being often overshadowed by players like Doncic and Trae Young, Shai has proven his prowess on the court.
Doncic, who shared the All-NBA First Team with Shai in the previous season, remains a strong contender. This season, Doncic has averaged an impressive 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists, leading the Mavericks to 50 victories.
Meanwhile, Jokic’s impressive averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists make him a formidable opponent for the MVP title. With the Nuggets holding the No. 1 seed, Jokic’s chances seem promising.
As the MVP competition reaches its climax, the outcome remains uncertain. The results promise an intriguing conclusion, and perhaps, they will serve as motivation for the two players who fall short of claiming the coveted award.