Despite missing a game last week for load management reasons, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was easily the best player in the NBA, and the Oklahoma City Thunder won all four games they played, besting the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, and Denver Nuggets. In the three games he played, SGA averaged an insane 44 points, five rebounds, and 6.7 assists.
The Thunder, in large part due to his play, increased their lead over the second-place Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference standings, surging up to 12 games ahead.
As a result of his incredible performances, the NBA recognized the MVP frontrunner with Western Conference Player of the Week honors, joining Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for Week 20 of the 2024-25 season (March 3-9). pic.twitter.com/HPT64UHNXR
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 10, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander won the award in December, becoming the second player (along with Jokic) to win the award twice this season in the West. Multiple players have taken home the award from the Eastern Conference more than once.
On Monday, the Thunder will look to make it back-to-back wins over the Denver Nuggets in the final game of a three-game homestand. Jokic, never one to emphasize individual accolades but one who prioritizes team success, will likely aim for revenge against the Thunder in a game that is weirdly only broadcast on NBATV instead of a standard cable package.
Related: OKC Thunder Make Roster Move Before Denver Nuggets Game
Considering that two of the best players in the world and two of the favorites to win the title are doing battle, the league, which has struggled with ratings all season, might have been smart to broadcast such a clash nationally.
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This story was originally published March 10, 2025 at 2:55 PM.