Thu May 22 12:10:00 UTC 2025: **Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Crowned NBA MVP After Historic Season**

**OKLAHOMA CITY** – Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the 2024 NBA Most Valuable Player, capping off a season of individual brilliance and team success. The league announced the award Wednesday night, just days after the Thunder eliminated the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Gilgeous-Alexander secured 71 of the 100 first-place votes, with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, last year’s MVP, finishing second. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks rounded out the top three.

The 26-year-old guard led the NBA in scoring with 32.7 points per game while maintaining an impressive 51.9% shooting percentage. He also averaged 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, joining Michael Jordan as the only other player in NBA history to reach those statistical thresholds.

“I always thought that I could be a really good player,” Gilgeous-Alexander said at a press conference held at the team’s practice facility. He was visibly emotional as he thanked his wife and teammates, who were all gifted Rolex watches as a token of his appreciation. “I dreamt about it as a kid… and you realize that you get closer to your dream, it’s hard to not freak out.”

The Thunder, who finished with a league-best 68 wins and a record-breaking point differential of plus-12.9 per game, recognized Gilgeous-Alexander’s immense value to the team. “His value is his confidence,” said teammate Kenrich Williams. “The confidence that he has in himself and the confidence that he instills in every one of his teammates, including the coaches.”

Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the third player in Thunder franchise history to win MVP, following Kevin Durant (2014) and Russell Westbrook (2017). His accomplishment further solidifies his status as a superstar in the league and makes him eligible for a record-breaking four-year, $294 million supermax extension this summer.

Other players receiving MVP votes included Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Jalen Brunson, and Evan Mobley.

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