It's official. Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the 2024-25 NBA Most Valuable Player.
The big news was announced on Wednesday, and it came less than 24 hours after Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC to a dominant 114-88 blowout win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
What makes this career milestone extra special for the 26-year-old is the fact that he was able to make a bit of history with this MVP win--something that the NBA revealed via social media shortly after the MVP announcement.
"A HISTORIC #KiaMVP FOR SGA ð¤©" the league posted on X.
As indicated in the post, Gilgeous-Alexander follows in the footsteps of Steve Nash as just the second Canadian to win the MVP trophy. He is also the third player in Thunder franchise history to bag the title after Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Finally, Gilgeous-Alexander joins the great Michael Jordan as the only two players to ever put up the type of numbers that they did in their respective MVP campaigns.
The fact that all four players with whom Gilgeous-Alexander has been mentioned above have either already been inducted into the Hall of Fame or will be once they are eligible speaks volumes about what he's achieved with this MVP win.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Now that the MVP title is in the bag, though, Gilgeous-Alexander can lock in even more on the Thunder's quest for a championship this season. The Timberwolves are standing in their way at the moment, though, and there's no denying that Anthony Edwards and Co. pose a major challenge for OKC.
Game 2 of the West Finals in Oklahoma City is on Thursday, and a win for the Thunder will go a long way toward their bid for the title.