In 2025, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ascended to the NBA's pinnacle, capturing his first MVP award and becoming the first Thunder player to do so since Kevin Durant in 2014. Averaging a league-best 32.7 points per game, SGA led Oklahoma City to a 68–14 record and the top seed in the Western Conference.
His season was historic: only he and Michael Jordan have averaged at least 30 points on 50% shooting, with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1 block per game in a season. Interestingly, Durant's 2013–14 MVP campaign was arguably as iconic.
He averaged 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, leading the Thunder to 59 wins and setting a then-franchise record for scoring. Now, with SGA's rise, it's time to compare these two remarkable seasons. Let's analyze the numbers to determine who truly had the superior MVP year.
Points Per Game (PPG)
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32.7 PPG (2 Points)
2. Kevin Durant: 32.0 PPG (1 Point)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring during the 2024-25 season, averaging 32.7 points per game on 51.9% shooting. His scoring prowess was a key factor in the Thunder's success, contributing to their league-best record.
In comparison, Kevin Durant averaged 32.0 points per game during his 2013-14 MVP season, shooting 50.3% from the field. While both players were elite scorers, Shai's slightly higher average and efficiency give him the edge in this category.
Rebounds Per Game (RPG)
1. Kevin Durant: 7.4 RPG (2 Points)
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 5.0 RPG (1 Point)
Kevin Durant showcased his versatility during the 2013-14 season by averaging 7.4 rebounds per game, demonstrating his ability to contribute significantly on the boards. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while primarily a guard, averaged 5.0 rebounds per game in 2024-25.
Durant's superior rebounding numbers highlight his impact in this facet of the game, although it is expected since the forward approaches 7 feet tall. Shai came surprisingly close despite being a guard but the edge goes to the 4-time scoring champion.
Assists Per Game (APG)
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 6.4 APG (2 Points)
2. Kevin Durant: 5.5 APG (1 Point)
Operating as the primary playmaker for the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 6.4 assists per game, showcasing his ability to facilitate and create opportunities for his teammates. Shai ranked 14th in the NBA in assists despite being the leading scorer.
Kevin Durant, during his MVP season, contributed 5.5 assists per game, reflecting his role as a scorer who could also distribute effectively. Shai's higher assist average indicates a greater emphasis on playmaking in his game.
Steals Per Game (SPG)
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 1.7 SPG (2 Points)
2. Kevin Durant: 1.3 SPG (1 Point)
Defensively, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander excelled in generating turnovers, averaging 1.7 steals per game. His defensive instincts and quick hands contributed to the Thunder's defense, with the team ranking 3rd in OPPG.
Kevin Durant recorded 1.3 steals per game during his MVP season, showcasing his defensive capabilities as a forward. Shai's higher steal rate underscores his defensive prowess on the perimeter.
Blocks Per Game (BPG)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 1.0 BPG (2 Points)
Kevin Durant: 0.7 BPG (1 Point)
Despite being a guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 1.0 block per game, an impressive feat that highlights his defensive versatility and timing. Kevin Durant, known for his length and shot-blocking ability, averaged 0.7 blocks per game during his MVP season.
Shai's edge in this category is notable given his position and size, and it might be said that the guard has a quicker explosive ability, which allows him to get to balls instead of using pure height. Durant cuts it close, but Shai had an elite season defensively.
Turnovers Per Game (TOV)
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 2.4 TOV (2 Points)
2. Kevin Durant: 3.5 TOV (1 Point)
Ball security is crucial, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander maintained a lower turnover rate at 2.4 per game compared to Kevin Durant's 3.5 during his MVP season. This indicates Shai's efficiency in handling the ball and making decisions under pressure, and also the poise he showed for most of the season.
Durant was not as responsible for creating opportunities for his teammates as Shai was because he had Russell Westbrook by his side, but he still averaged more turnovers.
Field-Goal Percentage (FG%)
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 51.9% (2 Points)
2. Kevin Durant: 50.3% (1 Point)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's shooting efficiency was remarkable, converting 51.9% of his field-goal attempts. He relied on a ton of two-point field goals, whether they came from mid-range or at the rim, and was unusually efficient.
To be fair, Kevin Durant also exhibited excellent shooting with a 50.3% field-goal percentage, but even that isn't enough to win this category. Shai's slight advantage in this area reflects his shot selection and finishing ability all season long.
3-Point Percentage (3-PT FG%)
1. Kevin Durant: 39.1% (2 Points)
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 37.5% (1 Point)
Kevin Durant's proficiency from beyond the arc was evident with a 39.1% three-point shooting percentage during his MVP season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while respectable at 37.5%, trailed Durant in this aspect.
Durant's superior three-point shooting provided the Thunder with a significant offensive weapon. In terms of raw sharpshooting, it is hard to argue against Durant when looking at any all-time player.
Free-Throw Percentage (FT%)
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 89.8% (2 Points)
2. Kevin Durant: 87.3% (1 Point)
Both players were exceptional free-throw shooters, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander converting 89.8% of his attempts and Kevin Durant close behind at 87.3%. Shai's slight edge in this category underscores his reliability at the line, and he ranked 6th in the NBA, which is truly incredible.
Some might argue that Shai was a "foul merchant" because of the amount of calls he received, but to his credit, he converted at a rate of 7.9 makes out of 8.8 attempts.
Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 30.7 (2 Points)
2. Kevin Durant: 29.8 (1 Point)
Player Efficiency Rating (PER) encapsulates a player's per-minute productivity. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted a PER of 30.7, slightly surpassing Kevin Durant's 29.8 during his MVP season.
Shai's mark ranked 2nd in the NBA behind Nikola Jokic (32.0), and Durant's 29.8 PER ranked 1st in the league. This advanced metric highlights Shai's overall impact on the game during his time on the court, and he edges Durant.
Win Shares (WS)
1. Kevin Durant: 19.2 WS (2 Points)
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 16.7 WS (1 Point)
Win Shares estimate the number of wins contributed by a player. Kevin Durant's 19.2 win shares in the 2013-14 season indicate his significant contribution to the Thunder's success because his mark ranked 1st in the NBA.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 16.7 win shares in 2024-25 also reflect his vital role because he also ranked 1st in the NBA (ahead of Nikola Jokic with 16.4), though Durant holds the advantage in this metric.
Win/Loss Record (W/L Record):
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 68-14 (2 Points)
2. Kevin Durant: 59-23 (1 Point)
The Thunder's 68-14 record in the 2024-25 season, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, stands as one of the best in franchise history. In contrast, Kevin Durant's 2013-14 Thunder team finished with a 59-23 record.
Shai's leadership contributed to a more dominant regular-season performance, although the Thunder as a team was truly firing on all cylinders with a 3rd-ranked offensive rating and 1st-ranked defensive rating.
MVP Player Rankings
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21 Points)
2. Kevin Durant (15 Points)
In the grand tapestry of NBA history, the 2024-25 season will be remembered as the year Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not only stepped out of Kevin Durant's shadow but also etched his own name among the league's elite. Leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a franchise-best 68-14 record, Shai's all-around brilliance earned him the MVP award, making him the first Thunder player since Durant in 2013-14 to claim the honor.
His statistical dominance, averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 block per game on 51.9% shooting, mirrored the versatility and efficiency that defined Durant's MVP campaign. However, Shai's superior team success and defensive impact give him the edge in this comparison.
While Durant's 2013-14 season remains a benchmark of individual excellence, Shai's 2024-25 performance stands as a testament to his emergence as a true superstar, and it has shown because the Thunder are in the Western Conference Finals.
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