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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 24: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves 143-101 in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on May 24, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a clutch game-winning shot to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 129-126 win over the Denver Nuggets. Gilgeous-Alexander has been the favorite to repeat as the MVP for most of the season. Tonight’s game felt like a bigger one since Nikola Jokic is the main threat to Gilgeous-Alexander in the MVP rankings.
Jokic can only miss one more game to make the minimum games played requirement, but tonight’s game may have ended his chances. Gilgeous-Alexander had a short-handed squad missing important teammates Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alex Caruso all out with injuries. A close back and forth game featured clutch baskets exchanged late until SGA broke the tie by hitting a tough shot.
The MVP Award usually sees team success and individual greatness as the main reasons behind one’s case, but important memorable moments also count. Gilgeous-Alexander hitting a game-winner over his toughest challenger felt like the perfect season-defining moment. Oklahoma City remains the best team in the league for Shai to likely have the MVP Award secured, barring injury or something shocking happening.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Ended Case Against Him
One common case for those arguing Jokic or another player to win the MVP Award is the amount of help Gilgeous-Alexander has on the average night. Oklahoma City has a great roster with extremely strong depth across the starting lineup and reserve units. Players doing more with less help, like Jaylen Brown and Cade Cunningham, often get that used for them and against Shai in the MVP discussions.
Unfortunately for them, Gilgeous-Alexander has proven that he is even better when he doesn’t have help and finds a way to win big games vs great teams. Denver is considered one of the few realistic threats to the Thunder’s title repeat chase, and SGA was able to defeat them with a short-handed OKC roster.
Tonight’s win erased the point for those wanting to argue against Gilgeous-Alexander. Arguments can be made for other players, but Shai took away the opportunity to argue against his case. Most MVP voters will remember tonight’s 35 points, 15 assists and 9 rebounds, with a game-winning shot when it’s time to vote.
Can Jokic & Others Still Challenge Shai
Names like Jokic, Brown, Cunningham, and Luka Doncic have been considered outside MVP candidates to Gilgeous-Alexander’s top spot. However, the past few weeks have shown their arguments starting to flounder against Shai.
Jayson Tatum returned to make Brown share the workload as the superstar duo leading the Boston Celtics. Cunningham’s Detroit Pistons and Jokic’s Nuggets have both encountered some negative momentum with more losses coming in recent weeks. Gilgeous-Alexander keeps winning and further solidifies his claim as the MVP favorite, while the others drop.
Oklahoma City continues to deal with more injuries to almost every starting player, except for Shai. Despite all these variables in play, the Thunder don’t suffer as much thanks to Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way. Tonight’s epic moment felt like a new high for this season and will contribute to another likely MVP Award.