On Sunday afternoon, the Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a crushing defeat to the Denver Nuggets, winning 127-103. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge, scoring 40 points and taking control in the fourth quarter. This game also brought the spotlight to the two MVP frontrunners: Denver’s Nikola Jokić and Oklahoma City’s Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jokić, who has claimed the MVP title three times in the past four years, is considered one of the league’s greatest. However, voter fatigue and the historical context surrounding the MVP race raise questions about his chances this year. In 2022, Jokić lost out to Joel Embiid, and now he faces fierce competition from the rising star Gilgeous-Alexander, whose Thunder sit comfortably at the top of the Western Conference.
Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, is currently leading the league in scoring and has been instrumental in the Thunder’s success. As the top contender for MVP, he’s receiving widespread attention, especially after Jokić’s triple-double performances. The race between the two has become a defining feature of the season, with many speculating that the MVP vote will favor the “new face” of the league.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s team is second in the entire NBA for wins, and with a 52-11 record, they’re a full 12 games ahead of Denver. This makes his MVP bid all but secure, especially after his dominant performance against the Nuggets. As Stephen A. Smith declared, “the race is over” after witnessing Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance on Sunday.
Jokić’s defenders, however, will point to his historic performances, such as his 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists against the Phoenix Suns, as proof of his MVP-worthy play. Despite that, it appears Gilgeous-Alexander has the edge in this year’s MVP race, barring any unforeseen setbacks.
