Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the 2024–25 NBA Most Valuable Player, edging out Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo to claim the league’s top individual honor for the first time in his career.

The 26-year-old guard becomes the first Canadian MVP since Steve Nash’s back-to-back wins in 2005 and 2006, and only the third Thunder player to secure the award after Kevin Durant (2014) and Russell Westbrook (2017).

Gilgeous-Alexander Makes History With Career-Defining Season

Gilgeous-Alexander powered the Thunder to an NBA-best 68 wins, setting a new franchise record and securing the second-highest net rating in league history. His all-around dominance on both ends of the floor helped OKC surge to the top of the Western Conference.

• Points Per Game: 32.7 (1st in the NBA)
• Steals Per Game: 1.7 (5th in the NBA)
• Assists Per Game: 6.4 (14th in the NBA)
• Most 20+, 30+, 40+, and 50-point games in 2024–25

This breakout MVP campaign comes a year after Gilgeous-Alexander finished second to Jokic in 2024, falling short by 286 points in the final voting tally.

Related Article: NBA MVP Race: Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Locked in Historic Battle

A Changing of the Guard — Literally

With the win, Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the first guard to be named MVP since James Harden in 2018, further proving that the Thunder floor general is among the elite. His leadership and scoring efficiency lifted a young Thunder squad from rising contenders to genuine championship threats.

His MVP win also extends a remarkable trend, seven consecutive MVP winners have been born outside the U.S., reinforcing the global nature of the NBA’s top talent.

MVP Race 2025: Jokic and Giannis fall short

Despite elite campaigns from Nikola Jokic (3-time MVP) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2-time MVP), Gilgeous-Alexander’s combination of offensive firepower, defensive prowess, and team success made him the clear favorite down the stretch.

Jokic anchored Denver’s strong playoff push, while Giannis continued his two-way dominance in Milwaukee, but neither could match the consistency and impact SGA brought throughout the regular season.

THE COMPLETE VOTING RESULTS

What’s Next for SGA? $380M Extension looms

Looking ahead, Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to command a massive contract extension in the 2026 offseason—projected at five years, $380 million. The MVP win only strengthens his leverage as a franchise cornerstone and long-term face of the league.

SportsLigue