Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins 2025 NBA MVP After Leading Thunder to Best Record

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2024–25 season after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the league’s best regular-season record.

The 26-year-old superstar was announced as MVP live on TNT, just before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game and helped the Thunder win 68 games, earning the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

MVP Voting Results

Gilgeous-Alexander received 71 out of 100 first-place votes, beating:

Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets) – 29 votes
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) – 3rd place
Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) – 4th
Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers) – 5th

He also outperformed Jokić’s Nuggets in the playoffs, defeating them in a seven-game series to reach the Western Conference Finals.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s Reaction to Winning MVP

Speaking from the Thunder’s facility, surrounded by teammates, Shai said:

“I tried not to think about it during the season. But as a competitor, it’s always in the back of your mind. This award isn’t just about me—it’s about the entire team. The way we played together made this possible.”

A Historic MVP Achievement

First Canadian MVP since Steve Nash (2005, 2006)
Seventh consecutive international MVP
First scoring champion to win MVP since Russell Westbrook in 2017
Joined Michael Jordan as the only players to average 30+ points while shooting over 50%

This season, Shai also averaged:

6.4 assists
5.0 rebounds
1.7 steals
1.0 blocks
50.1% shooting from the field

He scored 50+ points in four games, including a career-high 54 points on January 22 against the Utah Jazz. He scored 20 or more points in 72 straight games, a streak not seen since Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson in the 1960s.

Thunder: Young and Dominant

Thunder became the youngest team in NBA history to top their conference in back-to-back seasons.
They lead the Minnesota Timberwolves 1-0 in the Western Conference Finals.
Teammate Jalen Williams joined him in the All-Star Game this year.
Gilgeous-Alexander has become the face of the franchise and a top name in marketing and media.

Jokić and Other MVP Finalists

Despite having his best statistical season with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, and an NBA-best 34 triple-doubles, Nikola Jokić finished second.

Giannis Antetokounmpo finished third with 30.4 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.